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♦ 


VOLUME  IV. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

AND 

MOUNT  VERNON. 


BROOKLYN,  N. 
PUBLISHED  BY  THE 


Y.: 

SOCIETY. 


1889. 


,U7 

V,+ 


TjO 


boston  college  library 

QHESTNUT  HiLL,  MASS. 


OFFICEES 


OF  THE 

Cong  ^t0torical  Soctetg. 

1889-90. 


President,  - - - EICHAED  S.  STOEES,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

First  Vice-President,  - - - HON.  JOSHUA  M.  VAN  COTT. 

Second  Vice-President,  -----  SAMUEL  McLEAN. 
Foreign  Corresponding  Secretary,  - HON.  BENJAMIN  D.  SILLIMAN. 
Home  Corresponding  Seo'etary,  - - CHAELES  H.  HALL,  D.D. 

Recording  Secretary, FEEDEEIO  A.  WAED. 

Chairman  of  the  Flxecutive  Committee,  - THOMAS  E.  STILLMAN. 

Treasurer, JOHN  JAY  PIEEEEPONT. 

Curator  of  the  Museum, ELIAS  LEWIS,  Jr. 


DIEECTOES. 


RICHARD  S.  STORRS,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
HON.  JOSHUA  M.  VAN  COTT, 
SAMUEL  McLEAN, 

CHARLES  H.  HALL,  D.D., 

JAMES  R.  TAYLOR, 

GEORGE  I.  SENEY, 

A.  ABBOT  LOW,  ^ 

ALEXANDER  M.  WHITE, 

HENRY  SHELDON, 

WALTER  T.  HATCH, 

JOSEPH  E.  BROWN, 

JOHN  JAY  PIERREPONT, 


HON.  BENJAMIN  D.  SILLIMAN, 
TEMPLE  PRIME, 

THOMAS  E.  STILLMAN, 

JOHN  GIBB, 

ALEXANDER  E.  ORR, 

ELIAS  LEWIS,  Jr., 

FREDERIC  A.  WARD, 

BRYAN  H.  SMITH, 

HENRY  D.  POLHEMUS, 

JOHN  CLAFLIN, 

CHARLES  M.  PRATT, 

C.  DELANO  WOOD. 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 


THOMAS  E.  STILLMAN,  Chairman. 

HENRY  SHELDON,  SAMUEL  McLEAN, 

JAMES  R.  TAYLOR,  JOSEPH  E.  BROWN, 

ALEXANDER  E.  ORR,  WALTER  T.  HATCH. 


COUNSELLOKS. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 


HON.  J.  S.  T.  STRANAHAN, 
DAVID  M.  STONE, 

REV.  CHARLES  CUTHBERT  HALL, 
WILLIAM  B.  LEONARD, 

JULIUS  W.  BRUNN, 

JOSEPH  F.  KNAPP, 


HON.  JASPER  W.  GILBERT, 
FREDERICK  A.  FARLEY,  D.D., 
PROF.  DARWIN  G.  EATON, 

T.  MORTIMER  LLOYD,  M.D., 
GEORGE  L.  NICHOLS, 

FLAMEN  B.  CANDLER. 


QUEENS  COUNTY. 


A.  N.  LITTLEJOHN,  D.D.,  D.C.L., 
WILLIAM  FLOYD  JONES, 
EDWARD  W.  GILMAN,  D.D., 


JOHN  A.  KING, 
BENJAISHN  D.  HICKS, 
CHARLES  B.  MOORE. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


HON.  JAMES  H.  TUTHILL, 
PROF.  EBEN  N.  HORSFORD, 
CHARLES  R.  STREET, 


EPHER  WHITAKER,  D.D., 
WILLIA3I  NICOL, 

HON.  JOHN  R.  REID. 


WASEffiMOlOlTo 


FROM  THE  ORIGINAL  BY  C.  W.  PEALE. 

IN  POSSESSION  OF  REV.  MASON  GALLAGHER. 


ARTOTYPE,  E.  8IERSTADT,  X.  Y. 


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GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

AND 

MOUNT  VERNON 


A COLLECTION  OF  WASHINGTON’S  UNPUBLISHED 
AGRICULTURAL  AND  PERSONAL  LETTERS 


EDITED 

WITH  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION 

BY 

MONCURE  DANIEL  CONWAY 

Author  of  "Omitted  Chapt^s  of  Histoi'y  disclosed  in  the  Life  and  Papers 
of  Edmund  Randolph” 


BROOKLYN,  N.  T. 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

1889 


1 1 

• LE7 

V.Li- 


Copyright,  1889,  by 

LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


TROWS 

PRINTING  AND  BOOKBINDING  COMPANY, 
NEW  YORK. 


OCT  2 


1981 


PREFACE. 


This  volume  is  not  only  a monument  of  the  first  president 
of  the  United  States,  but,  in  a sense,  of  the  first  president  of 
the  Historical  Society  by  which  it  is  published.  For  it  is  the 
munificence  of  the  late  James  Carson  Brevoort  which  adds 
this  contribution  to  the  Centenary  of  Washington’s  inaugura- 
tion. He  whom  the  nation  calls  Father  was  as  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  literary  and  scientific,  as  in  the  industrial,  culture 
of  the  country,  and  his  homage  was  especially  given  to  men 
who  promoted  both.  Of  these  Mr.  Brevoort  was  a remarkably 
fine  type.  From  the  infant  school  in  Hew  York,  where  he 
was  born  (in  Bloomingdale,  10  July  1818)  he  passed  to  the 
Bound  Hill  School,  Horthampton,  Mass.,  where  he  was  under 
the  care  of  George  Bancroft  and  Joseph  Cogswell ; his  edu- 
cation was  continued  in  Paris,  then  in  Switzerland — at  BaroTi 
Fellenberg’s  School,  Hofwyl ; this  being  followed  by  a three 
years’  course  at  the  Ecole  Centrale  des  Arts  et  Manufactures^ 
in  Paris,  from  which  he  received  a diploma  as  Civil  Engineer. 
After  studying  railway-construction  in  France  and  England 
he  returned  to  Hew  York  in  1838,  and  for  nearly  a year  was 
employed  at  the  West  Point  foundry,  in  which  his  father  was 
interested.  In  ISJl,  as  surveyor,  he  accompanied  Prof.  James 
Benwick,  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Horth-east  Bound- 
ary Survey.  In  1842  he  accompanied  Washington  Irving, 
United  States  Minister  to  Spain,  as  private  secretary  and  at- 


Y1 


PREFACE. 


tache  of  the  Legation.  An  intimate  friendship  between  Mr. 
Brevoort  and  Washington  Irving  continued  until  the  latter’s 
death.  In  1845  he  married  Elizabeth  Dorothea,  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  Lelfert  Lefferts,  first  Judge  of  King's  Count j,  and 
first  president  of  the  Long  Island  Bank, — the  earliest  incor- 
porated bank  in  Brooklyn.  After  Mr.  Brevoort’s  marriage  he 
made  Brooklyn  his  home,  and  became  actively  interested  in 
whatever  concerned  the  welfare  of  that  city.  As  a member 
of  the  Charter  Convention  (1847),  as  a member  of  the  Board 
of  Education,  and  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners,  as 
a trustee  of  Greenwood  Cemetery,  his  services  were  of  much 
value.  In  1863  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  formation  of 
the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  was  its  President  until 
1873,  Chairman  of  its  Executive  Committee  until  1876,  and 
Director  until  his  death,  15  December  1887. 

Mr.  Brevoort’s  services  were  by  no  means  limited  to  any 
locality.  For  twenty-six  years  (1852-1878)  he  was  a trustee 
of  the  Astor  Library,  and  for  two  years  its  superintendent. 
His  scientific  and  historical  contributions  were  recognized  by 
honorary  membership  in  many  American  Societies,  and  in  the 
Archseological  Society  of  Madrid.  In  Natural  History  he  was 
especially  interested  in  Ichthyology  ; his  collections  were  ex- 
tensive and  his  writings  on  that  subject  have  high  authority. 
His  Notes  on  some  Figures  of  Japanese  Fish  by  Artists  of 
the  United  States  Expedition  to  Japan  his  ‘‘Early  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  Coinage  in  America  and  “ Yerrazzano,  the 
Navigator;  or  Notes  on  Giovanni  da  Yerrazzano,  and  on  a 
planisphere  of  1529,  illustrating  his  American  Yoyage  in 
1524 ; ” are  monographs  of  much  value.  His  thorough  ac- 
quaintance with  ancient  and  modern  languages  opened  to  him 
original  sources  of  information,  which  he  was  always  willing 
to  impart,  selfishness  being  unknown  to  his  nature. 


PREFACE. 


vii 

By  many  learned  Societies  Mr.  Brevoort  was  honored  ; by 
his  associates  of  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society  he  was 
beloved  as  well  as  honored ; and  these  Washington  Papers, 
of  his  donation,  are  affectionately  inscribed  to  James  Carson 
Brevoort,  from  whom  the  patriot  and  the  student  will  receive 
them  as  a bequest. 

With  the  exception  of  the  papers  collected  by  the  editor, 
and  used  in  the  Introduction  and  the  Appendix,  this  volume 
consists  of  127  Washington  MSS.,  of  which  nearly  all  are 
letters  to  the  manager  of  his  Mount  Yernon  estates  during 
his  absence  while  President.  They  were  bought  from  the 
family  of  that  manager,  William  Pearce,  by  the  Hon.  Ed- 
ward Everett,  to  whose  eloquence  the  purchase  and  preser- 
vation of  Mount  Yernon  are  mainly  due.  Mr.  Everett  had 
intended  to  edit  and  publish  them,  but  the  task  was  never 
undertaken.  At  his  death  they  passed  to  a member  of  his 
family,  from  whom  they  were  purchased  by  Mr.  Brevoort 
and  presented  to  his  cherished  Long  Island  Historical  So- 
ciety. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL 
INTRODUCTION. 


A LEGENT)  relates  that  Augustine  Washington  planted  seeds 
which,  when  they  grew,  wrote  the  name  of  his  child — George 
Washington.  It  sounds  like  a fable  of  Mount  Yernon,  in 
whose  growths  is  perennially  repeated  the  name  of  Washing- 
ton. The  present  volume  bears  to  the  world  a finer  fruitage 
of  that  estate,  in  letters  genuine  as  its  oaks,  fresh  as  its  sward, 
sweet  as  its  brier  roses.  Here  is  the  man.  Xot  in  the  battle- 
field, nor  in  the  executive  chair,  shall  we  be  intimate  with 
the  heart  of  Washington,  but  at  Mount  Yernon,  where  he 
wrote  on  the  landscape  what  near  life’s  close  he  repeated  on 
paper : “ The  more  I am  acquainted  with  agricultural  affairs 
the  better  I am  pleased  with  them ; insomuch  that  I can  no- 
where find  so  great  satisfaction  as  in  these  innocent  and  use- 
ful pursuits.  In  indulging  these  feelings  I am  led  to  reflect 
how  much  more  delightful,  to  an  undebauched  mind,  is  the 
task  of  making  improvements  on  earth,  than  all  the  vain 
glory  which  can  be  acquired  from  ravaging  it  by  the  most 
uninterrupted  career  of  conquests.” 

The  visitor  at  Mount  Yernon  still  finds  a charm  no  art 
alone  could  give,  in  trees  from  various  climes,  each  a witness 
of  the  taste  that  sought,  or  the  love  that  sent  them,  in  fields 
which  the  desolating  step  of  war  reverently  passed  by,  in 
flowers  whose  root  is  not  in  graves,  yet  tinged  with  the  life- 
blood of  the  heart  that  cherished  them  from  childhood  to  old 
age.  On  those  acres  we  move  beneath  shade  or  shelter  of 
the  invisible  tree  which  put  forth  whatever  meets  the  eye, 


X HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

and  has  left  some  sign  on  each  object,  large  or  small.  Still 
planted  beside  his  river,  he  brings  forth  fruit  of  his  season. 
Kor  does  his  leaf  wither.  It  is  still  a living  inquiry — how 
grew  W ashington  himself  ? The  inquiry  is  appropriate  for  this 
volume,  largely  concerned  with  local  and  family  details,  and 
some  contribution  towards  its  satisfaction  must  be  attempted. 
But  for  the  present  every  such  contribution  must  amount 
mainly  to  the  collection  of  neglected  materials,  by  aid  of  which 
the  tree,  to  continue  the  similitude,  may  be  distinguished 
from  its  mythical  mosses,  and  freed  from  parasitic  traditions. 

Much  of  the  Washington  Mythology  is  a folklore  such  as 
must  always  invest  the  founders  of  nations  or  the  man  of  the 
people.  Washington  is  entitled  to  his  Washington-lore,  by 
which,  indeed,  he  is  rather  draped  than  disguised.  It  is  the 
fashion  to  smile  at  Parson  Weems’s  romances  of  Washington’s 
early  life ; but  the  quaint  “ Pector  of  Mount  Yernon,”  as  he 
called  himself,  to  whom  Washington  in  his  last  year  wrote  a 
kindly  letter,  needs  only  more  time-perspective  to  be  seen  as 
an  humble  Homer  reciting  to  Virginia  villagers  legends  and 
ballads  of  their  great  men.  One  would  travel  far  to  surprise 
him  reading  the  Bible  to  the  negroes  in  their  cabins,  then 
tuning  his  fiddle  for  their  dance ; or  to  observe  the  lank  figure 
beside  his  ancient  buggy  and  bony  horse,  attracting  his  court- 
green  audience  with  his  music,  and  selling  his  patriotic  leaf- 
lets. The  very  soul  of  his  time,  picturesque  as  it  recedes,  is 
in  his  ballad  of  Lord  Fairfax,  who,  on  hearing  that  Great 
Britain  had  surrendered  to  his  surveyor,  said,  in  Weems’s 
recitative  : Come,  Joe,  I’m  sure  ’tis  high  time  for  me  to  die.” 

“ Then  up  rose  Joe,  all  at  the  word, 

And  took  his  master’s  arm. 

And  to  his  bed  he  softly  led 
The  lord  of  Greenway  farm  : 

There  oft  he  called  on  Britain’s  name. 

And  oft  he  wept  full  sore. 

And  sighed  ‘ Thy  will,  O Lord,  be  done  ! ’ 

And  word  spake  never  more.” 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


XI 


The  legends  of  Washington’s  physical  strength  connect 
him  with  the  race  of  heroes  whose  moral  greatness  gained 
traditional  expression  in  a symbolism  of  size.  When  Henry 
II.  would  terminate  the  superstition  of  his  Celtic  subjects 
that  King  Arthur  was  not  dead,  but  would  reappear  to  expel 
the  Saxons,  he  arranged  that  certain  large  animal  bones 
should  be  discovered  at  Glastonbury  and  buried  with  pomp 
as  those  of  Arthur.  Ordinary  human  bones  would  have  been 
popularly  repudiated.  The  tale  of  Washington’s  father  plant- 
ing seeds  which  in  springing  up  wrote  his  son’s  initials  in  green 
shoots,  and  suggested  a sermon  on  creative  design,  does  not 
lose  interest  by  being  borrowed  from  Dr.  Beattie’s  sketch  of 
his  son.  There  were  legends  to  suggest  the  contrivance  to 
Beattie,  stretching  back  as  far  as  that  of  the  infant  Hilde- 
brand who  arranged  the  chips  with  which  he  played  into  the 
prophetic  sentence,  Dominabitur  a mare  ad  mare.”  Arthu- 
rian and  Gregorian  mythology  that  has  migrated  across  the 
seas  and  twined  round  the  childhood  of  a certain  Yirginian 
is  not  to  be  explained  as  falsehood  nor  dismissed  as  rubbish. 
Augustine  Washington  compelling  the  growing  seed  to  write 
his  son’s  name  turns  out  to  be  Weems  and  others  planting  old 
stories  to  spring  up  asL^Washington-glories.  The  nation  out- 
grows that  particular  folklore  ; it  can  not  linger  in  the  nur- 
sery where  Washington’s  name  is  written  in  goody-goody 
stories ; but  it  is  not  mature  enough  to  dispense  with  the 
mythological  figure  altogether.  It  clings  to  the  fable  that 
Frederick  the  Great  sent  Washington  a sword,  with  homage 
of  the  oldest  general  in  the  world  to  the  greatest,”  to  the 
legend  that  our  fiag  was  evolved  from  his  coat  of  arms,  and 
the  tradition  that  he  never  laughed. 

By  varieties  of  portraiture,  pictorial  and  historical,  Wash- 
ington’s individuality  was  made  by  one  and  another  pious  or 
political  party  into  its  own  image,  with  result  of  the  com- 
posite efligy  with  which  the  real  personality  revealed  by  re- 
search has  to  contend.  To  restore  Washington  to  the  place 


xii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

occupied  by  this  conventionalized  Holy  Picture  has  become 
the  necessity  of  political  history.  The  literary  manipulation 
of  Washington’s  writings,  now  generally  condemned,  was  only 
part  of  a system  of  pious  suppression  and  conventionaliza- 
tion. The  great  need  of  the  world  is  a complete  and  critical 
biography  of  Washington,  but  to  write  it  would  require  a cour- 
age equal  to  his  own.  And  indeed,  for  the  present,  it  is  on 
Washington's  own  courage  that  the  truth  of  his  history  is 
mainly  depending.  He  has  fearlessly  left  to  the  certain  in- 
spection of  mankind,  diaries  and  letters,  in  which  his  public 
and  private  life  are  faithfully  recorded.  These  remains, 
more  than  4,000,  mainly  preserved  by  his  own  drafts,  amount 
to  an  autobiography  so  candid  that,  when  fully  published, 
other  biographies  will  be  shelved. 

It  is  natural  that  some  should  have  misgivings  concerning 
this  complete  publication  of  Washington.  The  historiog- 
rapher of  the  Diocese  of  Virginia,  Dr.  Philip  Slaughter, 
(whose  eloquent  centennial  discourse  in  Washington’s  church 
at  Alexandria  all  should  read)  wrote  to  me  last  year  : What 

a terrible  ordeal  Washington’s  character  will  have  to  endure 
at  the  many  hands  now  plying  their  scalpels  and  critical 
glasses  to  its  dissection.  To  have  all  one’s  doings  and  say- 
ings in  the  abandon  of  private  life  proclaimed  upon  the 
house-tops  is  a trial  through  which  no  one  could  pass  un- 
scathed save  that  peerless  person  who  stood  alone  with  noth- 
ing like  to  him.”  Since  this  was  written  (18  Dec.  1888) 
fragmentary  publications  of  the  intimate  correspondence  of 
Washington,  often  with  ignorant  inferences,  have  subjected 
his  fame  to  an  unfair  ordeal.  The  danger  now  lies  rather  in 
partial  than  in  full  publicity.  When  Washington  appears  as 
delineated  by  himself  in  his  simple  record  some  small  haloes 
may  fade ; but  it  will  be  found  that  such  haloes  have  ob- 
scured a greater  brain  than  is  commonly  recognized,  a larger 
heart,  a life  more  pathetic,  a character  formed  by  the  eigh- 
teenth century  of  America  which  in  turn  he  largely  formed. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xiii 


At  any  rate,  it  is  inevitable  that  every  word  of  Washington 
shall  be  brought  to  light.  American  history  is  not  yet  really 
written,  and  cannot  be  written,  nor  our  future  stand  firmly 
on  the  shoulders  of  the  Past,  unless  we  can  freely  study  this 
man  both  as  an  individual  and  a type  of  his  time,  instead  of 
a supernatural  avatar.  And  this  emancipation  from  thral- 
dom to  a mere  name  is  a final  service  done  by  the  pen  of  him 
whose  sword  liberated  us  from  the  previous  superstition  of 
royalty. 

There  is  a further  reason  why  Washington  alone  can  reveal 
his  true  self  beneath  his  traditional  effigy.  He  was  an  un- 
witting party  to  his  own  conventionalization.  His  patriotism 
and  his  humility  induced  him  to  sacrifice  his  preferences,  in 
ceremonial  matters,  to  statesmen  more  learned  than  himself, 
but  often  less  wise.  American  society  was  under  sway  of 
courts  for  some  time  after  political  independence  was 
achieved.  It  was  expected,”  wrote  Edmund  Randolph,  “ at 
the  commencement  of  our  revolutionary  government  that 
these  gaudy  trappings  w^ould  be  abandoned.  They  were  re- 
tained indeed  by  usage,  not  by  any  authoritative  recognition, 
nor  yet  from  any  admiration  of  the  empty  baubles  in  the 
country  of  our  origin^  or  an  anti-republican  tendency  in  the 
people ; but  they  may  be  ascribed  to  a degree  of  pride  which 
would  not  suffer  the  new  government  to  carry  with  it  fewer 
testimonies  of  public  devotion  than  the  old.”  By  such  in- 
fiuences  Washington  was  induced  to  accept,  as  President,  a 
ceremonial  regime  which  he  disliked, — his  wife  declaring  her 
environment  of  etiquette  a virtual  imprisonment.  Washing- 
ton also  attitudinises  in  heroic  portraits  through  submission 
to  their  painters.  Such  irksome  concessions  helped  to  diffuse 
a misconception  of  his  character  which,  had  it  not  been  erro- 
neous, might  have  made  him  a king.  Yet  just  this  consti- 
tutes what  one  may  almost  call  a Washingtonology.  He 
stands  like  an  obelisk,  whose  substance  tells  the  story  of  a 
geologic  formation,  but  is  yet  less  important  than  the  symbols 


xiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

and  histories  engraved  on  it.  Washington  is  our  eighteenth 
century. 

At  Wakefield,  the  birthplace  of  Washington,  I have  found, 
on  a document  of  1695,  a seal  with  modifications  of  the 
AYashington  arms  which  may  shed  light  on  the  genealogical 
problem.  For  their  appreciation  the  reader  will  find  the  fol- 
lowing facts  important,  and,  indeed,  of  interest  apart  from 
the  question  of  pedigree. 

In  1785  the  Countess  of  Huntington,  a connection  of  the 
Northamptonshire  Washingtons,  claimed  relationship  with 
the  General,  whom  she  sought  to  enlist  in  her  scheme  for  In- 
dian evangelization.  In  1791  Sir  Isaac  Heard,  Garter  King 
of  Arms,  enclosed  to  AYashington  a genealogical  statement  on 
the  same  theory.  In  his  reply  (2  May  1792)  AYashington 
says : “ I have  often  heard  others  of  the  family,  older  than 
myself,  say,  that  our  ancestor,  who  first  settled  in  this  coun- 
try, came  from  some  one  of  the  northern  counties  of  Eng- 
land ; but  whether  from  Lancashire,  Yorkshire,  or  one  still 
more  northerly  I do  not  precisely  remember.  The  arms  en- 
closed in  your  letter  are  the  same  that  are  held  by  the  family 
here ; though  I have  also  seen,  and  have  used,  as  you  may 
perceive  by  the  seal  to  this  packet,  a flying  griffin  for  the 
crest.” 

The  seal  here  referred  to  was  no  doubt  Washington’s  pri- 
vate seal,  now  in  possession  of  Kobert  J.  Washington  of 
Westmoreland,  to  whom  I am  indebted 
for  the  impression  here  given.  The  Sul- 
grave  crest  has  a raven  instead  of  a 
griffin.  Notwithstanding  AYashington’s 
suggestion  of  a more  northerly  origin 
the  pedigree  of  the  family  from  that  of 
Northamptonshire  had  been  generallyae- 
cepted  until  1867.  In  that  year  Col. 

Private  Seal.  ^ *' 

Joseph  L.  Chester,  in  the  New  England 
Historical  and  Genealogical  Register^  proved  that  the  John 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


and  Lawrence  'Washington  of  Northamptonshire,  previously 
identified  as  the  Yirginia  immigrants, 
never  came  to  America. 

Washington  used  a curious  variety  of 
seals.  The  ‘‘  private  seal  ” differs  from 
another,  used  at  the  same  period,  in  its 
foliations,  being  also  without  the  motto, 

‘‘  Exitus  acta  jprobat^'^  which  occurs  on 
two  other  seals.  At  what  time  Wash- 
ington began  to  use  the  arms, — three 
mullets  in  chief,  and  two  bars, — is  un- 
certain. His  early  seals  had  no  armorial 
character.  By  the  favor  of  Mr.  Howell, 
of  the  N.  Y.  State  Library,  and  skill  of 
Miss  Sutermeister,  his  assistant,  I am 
enabled  to  present  fac-similes  of  Wash- 
ington’s watch-chain  (reduced  from  7f 
in.  to  6)  and  two  seals  (full-sized),  pur- 
chased by  New  York  from 
the  estate  of  Lewis  W. 

Washington.  The  earlier, 
or  ‘‘silver  seal,”  was  lost 
on  Braddock’s  field  and 
there  found  by  Daniel 
Boone  Logan  in  1842.  The  ‘^golden 
seal”  no  doubt  succeeded  the  other. 

Dr.  A.  M.  Hamilton  of 
New  York  owns  a very 
old  china  plate  from 
Mount  Yernon,  with  the 
letters  “ Geo.  and  M.  W.” 
beneath  a spread  eagle 
with  thunderbolts  in  its  talons.  This  ap- 
pears to  me  earlier  than  the  mirror  and 
silver  plate,  in  the  National  Museum,  on 


Silver  Seal. 


Gold  Seal. 


Chain. 


xvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

which  the  Sulgrave  arms  are  represented.  In  a letter  of  6 
June  1768,  toKobert  Cary  & Co.,  London,  ordering  a chariot, 
Washington  directs  that  it  shall  be  decorated  “with  my  arms 
agreeable  to  the  impression  here  sent.”  This  is  his  earliest 
mention  of  arms.  In  vol.  I.  of  Washington’s  Letters  (State 
Department)  p.  701,  a letter  to  Hancock,  18  May  1776,  bears 
traces  of  a seal  that  may  have  had  some  armorial  character ; 
but  the  earliest  certain  use  of  any  device  by  Washington 
is  a griffin,  wdiich  seals  a letter  to  Robert  Morris,  27  Jan. 
1777.  {Ib.  vol.  III.  p.  509.)  In  the  same  volume,  p.  571, 
the  arms  occur  on  a letter  of  3 March  1777  to  Messrs. 
Morris,  Clymer,  and  Walton,  Members  of  Congress.  The 
shield  is  here,  as  on  the  furniture  in  the  Rational  Museum, 
of  the  “heater”  (flatiron)  shape.  As  yet  no  motto  ap- 
pears. In  1777  Washington  used  other  seals  : on  July  31 
he  seals  a letter  to  Hancock  with  an  urn  (vol.  lY.  p.  471) ; 
on  Sep.  13  and  16,  to  the  same,  he  seals  with  a dove  bear- 
ing an  olive  branch  over  a flood,  and  motto  “ La  Pax  ” (vol. 
Y.  pp.  55,  67). 

From  an  early  period  Washington  appears  to  have  gener- 
ally used  some  kind  of  envelope,  and  the  rarity  of  examples 
of  his  seals  may  thus  be  partly  accounted  for ; but  he  also 
often  used  wafers.  On  four  letters  only  of  the  present 
volume  are  there  arms.  On  the  letter  (1779)  to  Lund  Wash- 
ington, p.  320,  the  crown  and  griffin  alone  appear ; this  also  is 
the  seal  on  a Letter  to  Bushrod  Washington  15  Jan.  1784  in 
this  Introduction.  A letter  (1796)  to  Pearce,  p.  269,  has  the 
Sulgrave  arms  as  engraved  above,  with  the  crooked  shield, 
but  with  the  motto  added ; such  is  also  the  seal  on  the  letter 
(1797)  to  Bushrod  Washington,  p.  339.  The  foliations  around 
this  motto-shield  are  different  from  the  “private  seal.”  The 
earliest  use  of  the  latter  which  I have  found  is  on  a leave  of 
absence  to  Major  L’Enfant  16  Oct.  1783.  Sir  John  Sinclair 
engraved  the  same  on  two  of  his  facsimiles  of  Washington’s 
letters  to  him  (20  Oct.  1792,  and  6 Rov.  1797). 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xvii 

The  Sulgrave  arms  appear  on  the  frame  of  an  engraved 
portrait  of  Louis  XYI.  sent  by  him  to  Washington  (in  the  Na- 
tional Museum) ; also  in  the  Columbian  Magazine,  Feb.  1787, 
under  a portrait  of  Washington,  who  is  decorated  as  if  to 
satisfy  monarchists  of  the  Constitutional  Convention.  This 
represents  the  only  publication  I can  find  of  the  arms,  which 
some  have  strangely  supposed  to  be  the  origin  of  our  stars  and 
stripes ! 

At  what  time  Washington  began  to  use  his  motto  I cannot 
discover,  but  apparently  late  in  life.  Mr.  Cabot  Lodge 
(George  Washington,  II.  p.  386)  relates  that  ‘Gie  said  to  one 
officer,  ‘I  never  judge  the  propriety  of  actions  by  after 
events’” — which  precisely  reverses  his  motto  Exitus  acta 
jyrohat.  Mr.  Garnett  of  the  British  Museum  sends  me  a let- 
ter of  Washington  to  ‘^Mrs.  AYright  in  England,”  30  Jan. 
1785,  which  is  unique  in  having  the  motto  under  the  private 
seal  (p.  xiv.)  and  the  raven  crest, — this,  however,  different 
from  the  Sulgrave  raven  in  Sparks  I.  174. 

The  originals  of  the  Wills  of  the  earlier  Washingtons  of 
Yirginia  being  lost,  it  was  with  but  little  hope  that  I resolved 
on  an  exploration  of  records  in  AYestmoreland.  But  under 
the  hospitable  roof  of  Wakefield,  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  E.  AYilson — the  latter  a descendant  of  Col.  Wm.  Aug. 
AYashington — was  made  the  discovery  to  which  I have  re- 
ferred. Among  Mr.  YBlson’s  papers  is  an  Indenture  of 
Lewis  Markham,  dated  28  May  1695,  convey- 
ing land  to  ‘^Lawrence  AVashington  Gentl,”  to 
complete  which  he  borrowed  Lawrence’s  seal. 

The  shield  has  the  three  mullets  in  chief, 
two  bars,  and  no  crescent.  Crest  a helmet  (I 
think),  supporting  coronet,  and  eagle  issuant. 

One  significance  of  this  Crest  is  that  the  eagle 
is  used  by  the  German  AVashingtons  who  come  of  the  Ad- 
wick-le-Street  branch.  This  makes  a third  coincidence  with 
the  German  family,  which  uses  the  griffin  and  motto  also. 


Xviii  HLSTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


In  the  Historical  Magazine  (III.  p.  83)  the  Adwick  branch  is 
traced  to  the  family  which  named  Washington  parish,  Dur- 
ham— the  only  parish  so  named  save  that  in  Virginia.  On 
the  marriage  of  their  heiress  Dyonis  Washington  with  Sir 
William  Tempest,  of  Stndley  Royal,  the  minor  branch  dis- 
persed. In  1577  James  Washington  owned  the  manor  of 
Adwick-le-Street.  John  Washington  came  to  Virginia  from 
South  Cave,  and  it  may  be  noted  that  the  castle  there  was 
thirty  years  ago  owned  by  an  heiress  named  Lawrence.^ 
Another  member  of  the  family  founded  a family  in  Ger- 
many. To  Baron  Von  Washington  of  Munich  the  President 
wrote,  20  Jan.  1790:  “There  can  be  but  little  doubt.  Sir,  of 
our  descending  from  the  same  stock”  {Hist.  Mag.^  IV.  p.  86).'* 


^ That  John  Washington  emigrated  from  South  Cave  (30  miles  from  Ad- 
vrick-le-Street)  is  a tradition,  but  with  many  probabilities  in  its  favor. 
Wakefield,  which  reappears  as  name  of  the  Virginia  homestead,  is  also  in 
Yorkshire.  As  to  the  name  “ Lawrence,”  so  much  used  by  the  American 
family,  it  may  he  mentioned  for  what  it  is  worth  that  in  the  early  annals  a 
marriage  is  recorded  of  Sir  James  Lawrence  of  Trafford,  Lancashire,  with 
Matilda,  heiress  of  one  John  Washington.  The  name  “Lund ” also  appears 
at  the  head  of  the  Adwick-le-Street  pedigree  in  Sparks  (I.  554).  It  should 
be  borne  in  mind  that  the  coronet  from  which  a crest  issues  signifies  noth- 
ing in  the  way  of  rank. 

® The  account  given  by  the  Bavarian  Barons  Von  Washington  of  their 
family  is  that  their  ancestor  James  Washington  (brother  of  the  Virginians) 
was  involved  in  the  Duke  of  Monmouth  affair  (1683-4)  and  fled  to  Hol- 
land. This  corresponds  with  the  Rotterdam  merchant  of  that  name  men- 
tioned in  Sparks’  table  of  the  Adwick-le  Street  family.  In  the  same  table, 
besides  this  Rotterdam  James,  appears  “ John,  drowned  in  1661.”  Possibly 
John  was  not  drowned.  (Magazine  of  Ain.  Hist.  Feb.  1879.)  In  Rietstap 
(Armorial  General)  the  arms  of  the  German  family  are  given  as  follows:  — 
“Washington.  Bav.  (Barons  8 dec.  1829).  D’arg.  a deux  fasces  ah.  de.  gu. 
acc.  de  trois  etoiles  du  meme,  ranges  en  chef.  Cq.  cour.  C : une  tete  et  col 
d’aigle  de  sa. , tenent  en  son  bee  une  rose  blanche  tigee  et  f euillee  de  sin.  S : 
deux  griffons  de  sa.  D : Exitus  acta  prohat."'''  It  will  be  seen  that  this  is  sub- 
stantially the  coat  of  arms  on  the  Wakefield  seal, — the  crest  also,  excepting 
the  white  rose  in  the  eagle’s  beak.  This  Wakefield  eagle  also  seems  to  hold 
something  in  its  beak.  The  Germans  are  the  only  other  Washington  family 
in  which  I can  discover  the  use  of  the  General's  motto.  His  crest  appears 
in  their  griffin  supporters.  In  England  the  motto  is  used  by  several  fam- 
ilies, and  the  three  stars  and  two  bars  by  the  Freke  family. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


XIX 


In  1626  a Lawrence  Washington  lived  in  Bermuda;  and  Mr. 
Alexander  Brown  of  Ya.  has  discovered  the  indictment  of  one 
George  Washington  at  the  Bermuda  Assizes,  Yov.  1648,  for 
saying  that  “the  King  has  sould  his  subjects  to  Popery”  and 
“ deserved  to  be  hanged  7 years  ago.” 

Whence  came  the  griffin,  as  the  Washington  crest,  I do 
not  know.  At  W akefield  Mr.  W ilson  showed  me  an  arbitra- 
tion (3  Dec.  1742)  between  Augustine  and  John, — the  Gen- 
eral’s father  and  uncle — on  their  boundaries ; to  this  they 
have  affixed,  if  we  make  it  out  correctly,  each  the  same  seal, 
— which  appears  to  me  a griffin,  but  with  wings  more  dis- 
played than  those  used  by  the  General,  and  more  like  the 
Yorkshire  family’s  eagle.  Ko  arms  are  on  this  seal  used  by 
the  brothers.  Indeed  Augustine  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  particular  about  his  seal,  and  on  an  important  Agree- 
ment of  1737  (owned  by  Dr.  Emmet)  his  round  seal,  perhaps 
borrowed  from  a bystander,  represents  two  Cupids  playing 
Avith  hearts.* 

The  first  Washingtons  in  Virginia  may  therefore  be  re- 

^ After  the  above  was  in  type  I was  favored  by  Mr.  Dean,  editor  of  the 
New  England  Histoi'ical  and  Genealogical  Register^  with  sheets  of  an  impor- 
tant contribution  on  the  subject  by  Henry  F.  Waters,  A.M.  The  paper  now 
appears  in  the  October  Register.  It  adds  to  our  knowledge  the  fact  that  the 
younger  of  the  Virginia  immigrants,  Lawrence  Washington,  was  from  Lu- 
ton, Bedfordshire.  Twelve  miles  from  Luton  is  Tring,  Co.  Herts,  where 
]Mr.  Waters  discovers  the  presence  of  a Lawrence  Washington,  and  two  sons 
— John  and  Lawrence — who,  at  the  time  of  immigration  (1657)  would  he 
23  and  24  years  of  age.  Mr.  Waters  believes  this  Lawrence,  the  father,  to 
be  the  one  who  was  supposed,  until  Col.  Chester’s  paper  of  1867,  to  be  him- 
self the  immigrant ; that  is  the  Rev.  Fellow  of  Brasenose,  Oxford,  and  rec- 
tor of  Burleigh.  This  would  restore  the  Sulgrave  connection  though  in  an- 
other generation.  The  theory,  however,  is  doubtful.  There  is  no  certainty 
that  Lawrence  of  Tring  was  a clergyman,  and  Mr.  Waters  does  not  explain 
why  the  sons  of  a rector  of  Burleigh,  Essex,  from  1632  to  1643,  should  he 
born  at  Tring,  Herts,  in  1634  and  1635.  And  these  were  young,  in  1657,  to 
have  families.  There  were  several  Lawrence  Washingtons  of  that  generation, 
and  it  is  not  easy  to  identify  the  one  at  Tring,  but  Mr.  Waters  has  shown 
probabilities  that  it  is  in  that  region  we  are  likely  to  discover  further  traces 
of  the  brothers  who  migrated  to  Virginia.  It  may  be  hoped  that  Mr.  AVaters 
will  find  some  seal  at  Tring  to  compare  with  that  just  found  at  AA'akefield. 


XX  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

garded  as  of  the  minor  gentry.’-  The  archives  of  Maryland 
{Bist.  Mag.  2nd  Series,  I.  p.  29)  show  that  John  Washing- 
ton, on  his  arrival,  complained  to  Governor  Fendall,  of  Mary- 
land, against  Captain  Prescott  for  having  hung  an  alleged 
witch,  Elizabeth  Richardson,  on  the  voyage.  When  the  trial 
came  on  John  excused  to  the  Governor  his  non-attendance 
(30  Sept.  1659),  Because  then,  God  willing,  I intend  to  gett 
my  young  Sonne  baptized.  All  ye  Company  and  Gossips  be- 
ing already  invited.”  Col.  John  Washington’s  indignation 
against  Prescott  (who  pleaded  that  he  was  not  in  command 
at  the  time,  and  that  the  crew  were  on  the  verge  of  mutiny) 
.is  some  offset  against  his  ferocity  against  the  Indians,  who 
called  him  Conotocarius, — town-destroyer, — a title  which  his 
famous  grandson  found  fallen  to  himself  when  in  youth  he 
was  sent  on  a peaceful  mission  to  the  Indians.  The  land 
which  John  occupied  in  Westmoreland  is  still  called  Indian 
Town.  Washington  village,  Durham,  was  the  place  of  the 
dragon  which  the  Knight  Lambton  encountered,  and  John 
may  have  fancied  he  was  fulfilling  the  tradition  of  his  elders 
when  he  dragooned  red  men.  John  brought  his  first  wife 
and  two  children  with  him  from  England.  These  having  all 
died,  he  married  Anne  Pope  of  Pope’s  Creek,  about  1660. 

About  the  same  time  the  other  immigrant,  Lawrence,  mar- 
ried Mildred  Warner  (second  wife)  and  reciprocally  named 
his  first  son  after  his  brother  John,^ — whose  first  American 
son  was  named  Lawrence. 

These  brothers  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  West- 
moreland, Virginia,  which  is  first  mentioned  in  an  act  of  July, 
1653,  as  extending  “from  Achoactoke  river  where  Mr.  Cole 
lives : And  so  upwards  to  the  ffalls  of  the  great  river  of  Paw- 
tomake  above  the  Kecostius  towne.”  (1  Hening  381.)  Nor- 
thumberland had  been  formed  seven  years  earlier,  and  Stafford 
is  first  mentioned  in  1666.  The  brothers  together  held  pat- 
ents for  many  acres,  which  they  swiftly  multiplied, — John 
on  the  Upper  Potomac,  Lawrence  on  the  Rappahannock. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


XXI 


Although  Major  John  Washington  was  rebuked  by  Gov. 
Sir  William  Berkeley  for  his  conduct  towards  Indians  he  was 
friendly  among  his  neighbors.  Mrs.  Frances  Peyton,  widow 
of  Col.  Valentine  Peyton  did,  on  the  21  July  1665,  ordain 
her  “ trusty  and  well  beloved  friend  Major  John  Washing- 
ton ” to  be  her  attorney  for  all  purposes. 

In  General  Washington’s  time  the  descendants  of  the  im- 
migrant brothers  do  not  appear  to  have  known  their  degrees 
of  relationship.  In  his  letter  to  Sir  Isaac  Heard,  Washington 
says  the  descendants  of  Lawrence  were  numerous,  but  that  he 
is  unable  to  give  a satisfactory  account  of  them ; and  to  two 
of  them  he  leaves  bequests  with  the  words,  ‘‘  To  the  acquaint- 
ances and  friends  of  my  juvenile  years,  Lawrence  AYashington 
and  Bobert  M^ashington,  of  Chotanck,  I give,  etc.”  By  the 
assistance  of  Prof.  Chapman  Maupin  (of  the  University 
School,  Ellicott  City,  Md.),  a descendant  of  this  line,  I am 
able  to  make  the  relationship  clear.  Lawrence  (the  immi- 
grant), a widower,  married  Jane  (called  Joyce)  Flemming  in 
Virginia : their  son  John  married  Mary  Townshend  (1691- 
2) : of  this  last-named  marriage  the  eldest  son  was  John,  who 
married  Miss  Massy,  and  the  youngest  Townshend,  who  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Lund.  This  last-named  John  had  a son  named 
Lawrence,  and  his  brother  Townshend  a son  named  Pobert ; 
and  these  first  cousins  were  the  two  “ acquaintances  and 
friends”  of  Washington’s  juvenile  years.  A brother  of 
Pobert  was  Lund  AYashington,  so  long  the  manager  of  Mount 
Vernon,  some  of  AYashington’s  letters  to  whom  are  quoted  in 
Appendix. 

John,  son  of  the  immigrant,  who  married  Mary  Townshend, 
married  a second  wdfe  (name  not  discovered).  A grandson 
of  this  second  marriage  was  Col.  Bailey  AYashington,  whose 
son  William  Augustine  AYashington  was  the  hero  of  Cowpens. 
This  Col.  William  AYashington’s  admirable  qualities  won  the 
esteem  of  General  AYashington,  and  there  was  even  an  in- 
timacy betw^een  them. 


xxii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


For  the  following  I am  indebted  to  Dr.  Toner  of  Washing- 
ton: 

“ Charleston  S.  C.  Nov.  1790. 

“ Sm, 

“Your  Excellency’s  favor  of  March  25* accompanied  with  a 
Medal  struck  by  order  of  the  late  Congress  I have  received. 

“ This  flattering  mark  of  respect  confered  on  me  by  the  Represen- 
tatives of  my  Country  will  make  a indelible  impression  of  gratitude 
on  my  mind. 

“ The  people  of  this  State  indulge  themselves  with  the  hope  that 
your  Excellency  will  pay  them  a visit  the  ensuing  year,  it  will  give 
me  much  pleasure  if  your  Excellency  and  family  will  abide  with  me 
whilst  in  Charleston. 

“ Mrs.  Washington  flatters  herself  with  the  pleasure  of  your  Lady’s 
company. 

I am  sir 

With  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem 
Your  Excellency’s 

Very  obedi’*  Servt. 

W.  Washington.” 

Col.  William,  it  is  said,  declined  the  title  General,”  say- 
ing “ there  can  be  but  one  General  Washington  in  America.” 
Ilis  military  career  in  the  revolution  was  cut  short  by  capture 
and  parole  ; but  in  1Y98,  when  Washington  was  again  made 
Commander  (on  the  prospect  of  war  with  France)  he  ap- 
pointed Col.  William  Washington  to  the  command  of  ^N^orth 
and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier 
General.  Col.  Washington  was  then  living  at  Charleston,  S. 
C.,  where  he  had  married  (a  Miss  Elliot),  and  where  his  de- 
scendants are  numerous.  To  one  of  these  I am  indebted 
for  a letter  written  by  Brig.  Gen.  William  Washington  to 
General  Washington  19  Oct.  1798,  the  closing  paragraphs  of 
which  are  as  follows  : — 

“ I bad  indulged  the  pleasing  hope  that  I had  made  a flnal  retreat 
into  the  peaceful  shades  of  retirement,  but  at  this  momentous  crisis  I 
shall  not  hesitate  when  I shall  have  my  appointment  officially  an- 
nounced (at  present  I know  nothing  of  it,  except  what  appears  in  the 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxiii 


public  prints,)  to  obey  the  summons  of  my  country,  especially  when  I 
know  that  the  army  is  to  be  commanded  by  a chief  for  whom  I have 
had  the  highest  respect  and  veneration. 

“Please  to  make  a tender  of  my  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Washington. 
With  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  your  very  obedient  servant.” 

The  well-known  paternal  ancestry  of  Washington  may  be 
omitted  in  order  to  give  more  space  to  his  maternal  genealogy. 
For.  this,  Capt.  George  Washington  Ball  of  Fauquier,  great- 
great-grandson  of  Mary  Washington,  has  placed  at  my  dis- 
posal his  useful  monograph  on  “ The  maternal  ancestry  and 
nearest  of  kin  of  Washington.”  The  following  is  from  an 
old  MS.  preserved  in  the  Downman  family  of  Yirginia : 


‘ ‘ History  of  the  Ball  family  of  Baricham,  comitatis  Berks,  taken  from 
the  Visitation  Booke  of  London,  marked  0.  24  in  the  College  of 
Arms : 

“William  Ball,  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Barkham,  com.  Berks,  died 
in  the  year  1480. 

“ Robert  Ball,  of  Barkham,  com.  Berks,  his  son  k heii*,  died  in  the 
year  1543.  He  left  two  sons,  William  and  Edward.  To  William  he 
gave  his  personal  estate,  ..and  he  dwelt  at  Wokingham.  Edward  in- 
herited the  landed  estate. 

“William  Ball  died  at  Wokingham  in  1550,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  John  Ball,  who  married,  first,  Alice  Haynes  of  Finchhamp- 
stead,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  William,  Richard,  Elizabeth, 
Joane  ; and,  second,  Agnes,  daughter  of  Richard  Holloway  of  Bark- 
ham, by  whom  he  had  four  children,  John,  Robert,  Thomas,  and 
Rachel,  and  died  in  1599. 

“ He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  John  Ball,  who  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Webb  of  Rascombe,  com.  Berks.  He  died  in 
1628  leaving  five  sons  and  six  daughters,  William,  Thomas,  George, 
Richard,  k Samuel,  Rachel,  Elizabeth,  Susan,  Als,  Dorothy,  k Mary. 

“William  Ball  of  Lincoln’s  Inn,  and  one  of  four  attorneys  in  the 
Office  of  Pleas  in  the  Exchequer,  was  living  in  1634. 

“ His  son.  Col.  William  Ball,  emigrated  to  Virginia  in  the  year  1657, 
and  settled  at  ‘ Millenbeck  ’ (his  plantation)  on  the  Rappahannock 
river,  Lancaster  County,  Parish  of  Saint  Mary’s,  White  Chapel.  He 


xxiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

married  Hannah  Atherald  (Atherall  ?)  and  died  in  1680,  leaving  two 
sons,  William  and  Joseph,  and  one  daughter,  Hannah,  who  married 
David  Fox. 

“ Captain  William  Ball  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Rawleigh 
Downman,  and  resided  at  ‘ Millenbeck.’  He  died  Sept.  30th  1694, 
leaving  eight  sons  and  one  daughter,  William,  Richard,  James,  Joseph, 
George,  David,  Stretchlej,  and  Samuel.  The  daughter,  Margaret, 
married  her  first  cousin  Raleigh  Downman. 

“Joseph  Ball,  second  son  of  Col.  William  Ball,  of  ‘Millenbeck,’ 
lived  at  ‘ Epping  Forest  ’ in  Lancaster  County,  Va.  He  was  married 
twice ; first  to  [several  words  illegible  here.  Miss  Rogers  is  doubtless 
meant,]  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Joseph,  and  second  to  Mrs.  Mary 
Johnson,  by  whom  he  had  five  daughters : Hannah,  who  married  Mr. 
Raleigh  Travers,  of  Stafford ; Anne  mamed  Col.  Edwin  Conway ; 
Esther  married  Mr.  Raleigh  Chinn ; Elizabeth  married  Rev’d  Mr. 
Carnagie  ; and  Mary  who  married  Mr.  Washington,  and  was  the  mother 
of  Gen’l  George  Washington. 

“Joseph  Ball  died  in  June  1715  [1711]  and  is  buried  at  ‘Epping 
Forest,’  [Va.]  His  son  Joseph,  by  his  first  wife,  was  educated  in  Eng- 
land, became  a Barrister  at  Law,  and  married  Frances,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Ravenscroft  of  London.  He  returned  to  Virginia,  and  re- 
sided, for  some  years  at  ‘ Moratico,’  in  Lancaster  County,  but  finally 
went  back  to  England,  and  lived  at  Stratford-by-Bow,  in  Essex  Co., 
where  he  died  Jan.  10th  1760.  He  had  only  one  child,  Frances,  who 
married  Raleigh  Downman.  They  returned  to  Virginia  in  1765,  and 
lived  at  Moratico.  They  had  three  children  : Joseph  Ball  Downman, 
Raleigh  Wm.  Downman,  and  Frances,  who  married  James  Ball  of 
‘ Bewdly,’  Lancaster  Co.,  Va.” 

This  paper  requires  a correction  : Mary  was  the  only  child 
of  Col.  Joseph  Ball  by  his  second  wife;  the  others  were 
children  of  his  marriage  with  Miss  Rogers. 

The  Ball  arms  are  in  Burke : Lion  rampant,  sable,  holding 
in  the  dexter  paw  a fireball  ppr.  Crest : out  of  a ducal  cor- 
onet a hand  and  arm  embossed  in  mail,  grasping  a fireball  ppr. 
Motto:  “Coelumque  tueri.” 

Concerning  the  widow  Mary  Johnson,  Col.  Joseph  Ball’s 
second  wife,  Washington’s  grandmother,  history  is  silent. 
Capt.  G.  W.  Ball,  in  his  Monograph,  prints  the  follow- 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xxv 


ing  from  a letter  of  Col.  James  Ball  of  Bewdly,  11  Sept. 
1789 : 

“The  death  of  old  Mrs.  Washington  we  had  heard  of  before  the  re- 
ceipt of  yours.  I have  according  to  your  request  made  inquiry  into 
her  genealogy,  but  have  gained  very  little  satisfaction  relative  to  her 
mother’s  family.  Old  Mrs.  Sherman  her  niece,  of  whom  I expected 
most,  knows  nothing  more  than  that  her  [Mary  Washington’s]  mother 
was  an  Englishwoman.” 

Mrs.  Sherman’s  ignorance,  even  of  the  maiden  name  of 
Col.  Ball’s  second  wife,  and  some  other  circumstances,  incline 
me  to  credit  a rumor  that  the  widow  Mary  Johnson  had  been 
a housekeeper  in  the  family.  Before  the  marriage  her  name 
appears  as  witness  to  the  signature  of  Col.  Joseph  Ball,  on  a 
conveyance  of  land  (12  Feb.  1703)  to  his  son-in-law  Chinn. 
Col.  Joseph  Ball’s  will,  dated  June  5,  and  admitted  to  probate 
July  11,  1711,  devised  lands  and  slaves  to  his  five  children  by 
his  first  wife,  and  bequeathed  to  his  ‘‘loving  wife  Mary  Ball, 
the  feather-bed,  bolsters,  and  all  the  furniture  thereto  belong- 
ing, whereon  1 now  lie  in  my  own  lodging  chamber,  as  it 
stands  now  and  is  used,  and  all  the  chairs  in  the  house  which 
are  single  nailed.”  He" also  devises  to  her  land,  slaves,  crops, 
horses,  cattle,  stills,  chaise  and  harness,  and  an  “ Irish  woman, 
by  the  name  of  Ellen  Grafton,  for  the  time  she  has  to  serve.” 
To  his  daughter  Mary  he  gives  “ 400  acres  of  land  in  Bich- 
mond  County,  in  ye  freshes  of  Bappahn.  Biver.”  To  his 
wife’s  daughter,  Eliza  Johnson,  he  gives  a hundred  acres. 

Mary  Ball  was  born  in  1706  ; lier  husband,  Augustine 
Washington,  was  born  in  1694. 

The  estate  on  which  George  Washington  was  born, — some 
years  subsequently  called  “Wakefield,” — was  a tract  of  400 
acres  bought  by  Lawrence  Washington,  grandfather  of  the 
General,  from  Bobert,  Thomas,  and  Dorothy  Liston,  of  Bris- 
tol. Their  agent  was  Lewis  Markham,  and  it  was  in  this 
very  transaction  that  he  used  the  Washington  seal  already 


XX vi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


described.  Among  the  papers  at  Wakefield  is  a note  of 
Lawrence  Washington  to  Markham  (dated  16  June  1695) : 

“ Sir, — I herewith  deliver  youe  a Coppey  of  your  convaance  of  y® 
Liston’s  Land  I bought ; and  a Coppey  of  youre  bond  ; by  which  youe 
will  see  wh'^  is  to  bee  p*^  for  mee  one  your  partt ; and  when  they  make 
there  assurances  youe  had  best  have  your  power  Eenued  for  acknowl- 
ed’g  itt  & bring  power  from  their  wifes  for  dower  ; & there  bonds  for 
defending  y titell  & recording  itt ; soe  hope  you  will  Actte  as  securely 
for  me  as  your  Selfe  ; Well  knowing  y‘  a hunderd  pound  is  a great 
deale  of  money  to  lay  outt  one  a peace  of  Land  withoutt  timber  ; and 
houses  tumbling  downe.  Nott  doubting  your  Ceare,  I wish  youe  a 
good  voayge  and  subscribe  your  reayall  freind. 

Law  : Washington.” 

The  home  of  Washington,  now  known  as  Mount  Yernon, 
is  on  a tract  still  earlier  in  possession  of  the  familj^  In  1670 
a tract  of  5000  acres  above  Dogue  Run  was  granted  jointly 
to  John  Washington  of  Westmoreland,  Ya.,  and  Nicholas 
Spencer  (of  Bedford,  England)  from  Gov.  Berkeley.  John 
Washington’s  moiety  was  between  Dogue  Run  and  Little 
Hunting  Creek.  His  will,  dated  at  Bridge  Creek,  26  Feb. 
1675,  was  proved  10  Jan.  1677.  He  bequeathed  his  ‘^Hunt- 
ing Creek  plantation”  to  his  son  Lawrence  Washington. 
The  will  of  this  son  (Lawrence)  is  dated  11  March  1697.  In 
it  he  bequeathes  to  his  son  Augustine  (the  General’s  father) 
the  estate  afterwards  called  AYakefield,  and  to  his  daughter 
Mildred  all  his  “land  in  Stafford  Co.  [which  then  included 
Mount  Yernon]  lying  upon  Hunting  Creek  where  Mrs.  Eliza 
Minton  & Mrs.  Williams  now  lives,  by  estimation  2500 
acres.”  But  Mildred  died  in  infancy,  and  the  Hunting  Creek 
estate  (Mount  Yernon)  became  the  joint  possession  of  the 
widow  and  two  sons,  until  it  fell  to  the  survivor  of  them  all, 
Augustine,  about  the  year  1730.‘ 

’ In  his  Will,  Lawrence  (the  General’s  grandfather)  desires  burial  beside 
his  parents,  brothers,  sister,  and  children  ; that  his  debts  shall  be  “ con- 
tented ; ” a mourning  ring  to  Wm.  Thompson,  clerk,  and  Mrs.  Sarah 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxvii 


An  Agreement,  already  referred  to  as  in  possession  of  Dr. 
Emmet,  shows  the  General’s  father  largely  interested  in  the 
Spotswood  iron  enterprises  of  Yirginia  and  Maryland.  He 
is  described  as  ‘‘Captain  Augustine  Washington  of  Prince 
AYilliam  County.”  This  is  in  1737 ; and  I am  indebted  to 
Dr.  Slaughter  for  the  information  that  in  the  same  year  Au- 
gustine went  to  England,  returning  in  July  “ with  convicts.” 
On  the  voyage  a passenger,  Capt.  Hugh  French,  died  of  “gaol 
distemper  contracted  on  board,”  but  “Captain  Washington” 
was  reported  in  “ good  health.”  It  appears  probable  that 
Augustine  got  his  title  by  commanding  some  ship  for  a time. 
At  any  rate  he  had  a more  adventurous  career  than  has 
hitherto  been  supposed, — unless  by  the  author  of  “ Lacon,” 
who  says  that  an  accident  in  Cheshire,  England,  threw  Au- 
gustine Washington  into  the  company  of  the  lady  who  went 
to  Yirginia  as  his  wife.  It  is  possible  that  Joseph  Ball,  the 
London  lawyer,  was  visited  there  by  his  father’s  widow  and 
her  daughter,  and  that  Captain  Augustine,  after  the  death 
of  his  first  wife  (Jane  Butler)  in  1728,  met  and  married  Mary 


Thompson,  each,  of  30/  price  ; to  his  godson  Law.  Butler  2 cows ; to  his 
‘‘  sister  Ann  Writt’s  childrea-one  man-servant  apiece  of  4 or  5 years  to  serve,’’ 
3000  lbs.  tobacco  to  purchase  the  same  when  they  are  20  yrs.  of  age  ; to  his 
sister  Lewis  a mourning  ring,  40/ ; to  his  cousin  John  Washington  of  Staf- 
ford all  wearing  apparel ; to  cousin  John’s  oldest  son  Lawrence,  his  godson, 
when  20  yrs.  3000  lbs.  tobacco  to  purchase  a man  servant ; to  godson  Law. 
Butler,  and  Lewis  Nicholas  tract  of  land,  225  acres,  adjoining  Meridah  Ed- 
wards and  David  White  ; to  the  upper  and  lower  churches,  Washington 
parish,  pulpit  covers  and  cushions  ; for  funeral  sermon  3000  lbs.  tobacco; 
his  personal  property  to  be  divided  between,  wife,  daughter,  and  sons,  Jno. 
and  Aug.  ; to  Jno.  tract  he  lives  on  and  another  from  mouth  of  Mochodock 
Ck.  to  Round  Hills;  to  Augustine  the  Liston  land,  “lying  between  my 
brother  and  Baldridge’s,  (400  acres)  also  land  that  was  Richard  Hill’s,  and 
Markham’s  when  M’s  family  are  deceased  (700  acres.)”  Then  follows  be- 
quest of  the  Hunting  Creek  land  in  text.  To  John  his  water  mill  ; also 
“that  land  which  I bought  of  my  brother  Francis  and  Wright,  being  200 
acres  near  Stork’s  quarter.”  Exiecutors  : cousin  Jno.  Washington  of  Staf- 
ford, Sam’l  Thompson  and  loving  wife  Mildred.  Signed  in  presence  of 
Robt.  Readman,  Geo.  Weedon,  Thos.  Howes,  and  Jno.  Rosier.  Probate  30 
March  1698:  Jas.  Western,  C.  C. 


xxviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

Ball  in  England.  There  would  be  nothing  in  this  to  cast  any 
doubt  on  George  Washington’s  assertion  that  he  himself  was 
born  in  Virginia. 

There  is  no  foundation  for  the  statement  that  Wakefield 
was  burned  soon  after  the  birth  of  Washington  therein.  The 
fire  did  not  occur  until  1779.  Nor  is  the  generally  accepted 
account  true,  that  Augustine’s  removal,  in  1735,  was  to  the 
farm  in  King  George  Co.  near  Fredericksburg.  He  was  from 
1735  to  1739,  a resident  of  Prince  William.  This  county  was 
formed  from  Stafford  and  King  George  in  1730.  By  this 
change  the  tract  now  known  as  Mount  Vernon  (in  Fairfax) 
which  had  been  successively  in  Westmoreland  and  in  Stafford, 
became  included  in  Prince  William.  The  Truro  Parish 
Vestry-Book — the  invaluable  possession  of  Dr.  Slaughter, 
save  one  page  with  autographs  of  Washington,  Mason  and 
other  great  men  which  has  found  its  way  to  the  New  York 
Historical  Society, — bears  witness  to  some  surprising  facts. 
Truro  Parish  (Prince  William)  was  instituted  in  1732,  and 
Captain  Augustine  Washington  was  sworn  a vestryman,  18 
Nov.  1735.  On  Jan.  17  of  this  year  he  lost  his  daughter 
(by  the  first  wife)  Jane.  He  also  represented  in  the  House 
of  Burgesses,  as  Prince  William,  the  same  county  his 
brilliant  son  Lawrence  represented  later  as  Fairfax.  In 
August  1736  Augustine  signed  the  Parish  “Minutes,”  and 
recommended  Charles  Green  to  the  Bishop  of  London  for 
orders.  He  was  present  at  a Vestry  of  13  August  1737,  at 
which  Bev.  Charles  Green  was  elected  Hector.  He  also  at- 
tended the  Vestry  in  October,  1737,  between  which  date  and 
October  1739,  there  is  a gap  in  the  Truro  MS. 

Dr.  McGuire,  who  married  a granddaughter  of  Gen.  Wash- 
ington’s sister  Betty,  says  that  Augustine  came  to  reside  near 
Fredericksburg  in  1739.  This  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  in 
1740  he  conveyed  to  his  son  Lawrence  the  2500  acres  which 
the  latter  afterwards  named  Mount  Vernon.  This  deed,  re- 
corded in  the  General  Court  Office,  23  Oct.  1740,  was  burned 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxix 

during  the  Civil  War.  The  Will  of  Augustine,  who  died  12 
April  1743,  confirmed  this  gift.  It  was  recorded  in  King 
George  County,  May  1743.  From  Lawrence  the  estate 
passed  to  George  Washington. 

It  appears  clear  that  Mount  Yernon,  on  which  Washington 
lavished  his  devotion,  was  a heritage  from  his  first  ancestor  in 
Virginia,  and  the  homestead  of  his  own  earliest  recollections. 

Tlie  hopeless  loss  of  the  Truro  Kegisters  may  account  for 
the  absence  of  data  concerning  the  children  of  Capt.  Augus- 
tine and  Mary  Washington  beyond  the  meagre  entries  of 
their  Bible, — in  which  have  been  inserted  some  particulars 
concerning  George,  evidently  after  his  celebrity. 

“ Augustine  Washington  and  Maiy  Ball  was  married  the  Sixth  of 
March  17^^. 

“ George  Washington  Son  to  Augustine  & Mary  his  Wife  was  Born 
ye  11th  Pay  of  February  1731/2  about  10  in  the  Morning  & was  Bap- 
tiz’d the  3‘  of  April  following  M*"  Beverley  Whiting  & Cap‘  Christo- 
pher Brooks  Godfathers  and  M''  ® Mildred  Gregoiy  Godmother. 

“ Betty  Washington  born  20‘  ^ June  1733  about  6 in  y®  Mornin.  De- 
parted this  life  the  31st  of  March  1797  at  4 o’clock. 

“ Samuel  Washington  was  bom  y®  16  of  Nov.  1734  about  3 in  y® 
Mornin.  ^ 

“John  Augustine  Washington  was  born  y®  IJ'**  of  Jany  about  2 in 
y®  Morn  1735/6. 

“ Charles  Washington  borne  y®  2 day  of  May  about  3 in  y®  Morne 
1738. 

“ Mildred  Washington  was  Bom  y®  21st  of  June  1739  about  9 at 
night. 

“ Mildred  Washington  departed  this  Life  Ocf  y®  23<^  1740  being 
Thursday  abt  12  a Clock  at  Noon,  aged  1 year  & 4 months.” 

An  interesting  inquiry  is  suggested  by  Capt.  Augustine 
'W'ashington’s  importation  of  “convicts.”  Tradition  says 
that  George  Washington  was  taught  in  childhood  by  a sexton 
named  Hobby  ; but  the  only  contemporary  statement  is  that 
of  Bev.  Jonathan  Boucher,  teacher  of  Jacky  Custis,  who  says 
Washington  was  “taught  by  a convict  servant  whom  his 


XXX  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

father  bought  for  a schoolmaster.”  The  sexton  of  Truro 
Parish  in  1747  was  a “convict” — William  Grove.  It  may 
be  that  “ Hobby  ” was  this  man’s  nickname,  and  that  he  had 
previously  taught  the  Washington  children;  or  “Hobby” 
may  have  been  another  of  the  “convicts” — probably  political. 

Dr  Slaughter’s  researches  have  led  him,  as  he  tells  me,  to 
the  conclusion  that  “ Hobby  ” was  sexton  of  the’  church  at 
Falmouth,  and  that  the  Washington  children  went  to  school 
there.  Falmouth  was  founded,  as  a military  station,  in  1675. 
In  1732  the  House  of  Burgesses  ordered  the  erection  of  a 
church  “ in  the  new  parish  of  Brunswick,”  “ in  the  town  of 
Falmouth.”  Fredericksburg  was  founded  in  1727,  and  the 
church  edifice  there  (St.  George’s)  was  not  completed  until 
sixteen  years  later.  Education  being  in  clerical  hands,  it  may 
be  assumed  that  between  1739  and  1743  (the  year  of  Augus- 
tine’s death)  the  nearest  school  was  at  Falmouth,  two  miles 
above  the  Washington  farm,  on  the  same  side  of  the  river. 

The  “ Little  Falls”  farm  on  the  Bappahannock,  often  men- 
tioned in  Washington’s  diaries,  was  the  maiden  property  of 
Mary  Ball, — the  400  acres  devised,  as  we  have  seen,  by  Col. 
Joseph  Ball.  It  was  contiguous  with  the  estate  of  her 
brother,  Joseph,  the  London  lawyer,  and  when  bequeathed 
(1711)  was  in  Bichmond  County.  “Sherwood  Forest,”  Jo- 
seph’s portion,  seems  to  have  been  a dowry  of  his  daughter 
Frances  Downman,  and  passed  to  Henry  Fitzhugh,  who 
married  a Downman.  The  Ball  homestead  was  “ Traveller’s 
Best,”  so  long  occupied  by  Col.  Burgess  Ball, — possibly 
handed  down  from  his  great-grandmother.  Col.  Joseph  Ball’s 
daughter  Anne  (Conway),  Mary  Washington’s  half-sister. 
In  the  Will  of  John  Augustine  (date  19  Xov.  1784,  probate 
in  Westmoreland  31  July  1787)  we  find:  “Item,  to  my  son 
Bushrod  . . . my  Land  in  Stafford  County  conveyed  to 

me  by  my  mother  Mrs.  Mary  Washington  adjoining  the  lands 
of  Downman’s  estate  and  Col.  Burgis  Ball  in  Bappahannock 
and  containing  400  acres.” 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxxi 

The  Will  of  Capt.  Augustine  Washington,  and  its  record, 
disappeared  during  the  Civil  War,  but  I have  made  out  the 
following  bequests.  Augustine,  probably  his  oldest  son,  re- 
ceived the  homestead  in  Westmoreland;  Lawrence  the  Fair- 
fax land,  then  in  a wilderness ; John  Augustine  was  given 
“Bushfield”  Westmoreland  ; Samuel,  Chotanck,  Stafford  (533 
acres,  which  it  cost  his  half-brother  Augustine  £600  to 
free  from  a claim) : he  divided  his  iron  shares  between  them  : 
he  gave  his  widow  her  own  inheritance,  400  acres,  and  some 
land  near  the  furnace  on  Accokeek  (the  furnace  shares  going 
to  Lawrence,)  also  a bit  on  Deep  Bun, — near  another  iron 
forge  (twenty  miles  above  Falmouth  on  the  Bappahannock) 
whose  ruins  remain.  The  daughter  was  excluded  from  the 
distribution  of  negroes.  Although  Mary  Washington  dwelt 
near  her  daughter,  and  depended  on  her  unfailing  devotion, 
Betty  received  by  her  Will  only  her  horse  and  phaeton. 
Having  given  her  farm  down  the  river  to  her  son  John,  she 
bequeathed  in  her  Will  (dated  20  May  1788)  her  remaining 
lands  to  the  General, — swelling  the  forty  thousand  acres  he 
already  owned.  It  does  not  appear  to  have  occurred  to  any 
one  that  there  was  injustice  in  this,  except  that  a letter  else- 
where quoted  shows  the  General’s  surprise  that  Betty  should 
not  have  had  a child’s  portion  of  her  father’s  negroes. 

George  Washington’s  inheritance  of  land,  when  he  should 
come  of  age,  is  called  in  his  Diary  the  “Upper  Place.”  It 
was  280  acres,  purchased  by  his  father,  3 Bov.  1738,  from 
Margaret  Grant,  executrix  of  William  Strother.  The  Cap- 
tain may  have  added  to  the  property,  or  he  may  have  deemed 
its  proximity  to  the  new  town  as  an  equalization  with  the  be- 
quests to  the  other  sons  by  his  second  wife.  But  he  seems  to 
have  been  conscious  of  some  meagreness  in  his  bequest  to 
George,  since  he  devised  Mount  Yernon  to  him  if  Lawrence 
should  be  without  issue.  The  value  of  George’s  inheritance 
may  be  inferred  from  a letter  to  his  mother,  four  years  after 
her  husband’s  death,  from  her  half-brother  Joseph  in  Lon- 


xxxii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

don.  He  warns  her  against  sending  George  to  sea,  as  “a 
planter  that  has  three  or  four  hundred  acres  of  land  and  three 
or  four  slaves,”  may  do  better.  It  is  probable,  however,  that 
Capt.  Augustine  knew  that  his  wife  would  give  the  larger  of 
her  farms  (that  on  the  Accokeek)  to  George,  as  she  did.  Its 
size  may  be  estimated  by  the  fact  that  the  General  paid,  in 
1760,  quit-rents  for  1250  acres  in  that  region.  (Worthington 
Ford,  in  The  Nation^  19  Sep.  1889).  This  included  the  Ac- 
cokeek lands,  his  own  “ Upper  Place,”  opposite  Fredericks- 
burg, and  his  mother’s  ‘^Little  Falls,”  two  miles  lower. 

The  topography  has  points  of  interest.  George,  writing 
from  his  mother’s  home,  5 May  1749,  to  his  half-brother 
Lawrence  (in  the  House  of  Burgesses),  says  : 

“ As  my  mother’s  term  of  years  is  out  at  the  place  at  Bridge  Creek, 
she  designs  to  settle  a [Negro]  quarter  on  the  piece  at  Deep  Run,  but 
seems  backward  in  doing  it  till  the  right  is  made  good  for  fear  of 
accident. — It  is  reported  here  that  Mr.  Spotswood  intends  to  put  down 
the  feriy  at  the  wharf  where  he  now  lives,  and  that  Major  Francis 
Taliaferro  intends  to  petition  the  Assembly  to  have  it  kept  from  his 
house  over  against  my  mother’s  quarter,  and  through  the  very  heart 
and  best  of  the  land.  Whereas  he  can  have  no  other  view  in  it,  than 
for  the  convenience  of  a small  mill  which  he  has  on  the  water-side, 
that  will  not  grind  above  three  months  in  the  twelve,  and  on  account 
of  the  great  inconvenience  and  prejudice  it  will  be  to  us,  I hope  it 
will  not  be  granted.  Besides,  I do  not  see  where  he  can  possibly 
have  a landing-place  on  his  side,  that  will  ever  be  sujQficient  for  a 
lawful  landing,  by  reason  of  the  steepness  of  the  banks.  I think  we 
suffer  enough  from  the  free  ferry,  without  being  troubled  with  such 
an  unjust  and  iniquitous  petition  as  that ; but  I hope,  as  it  is  only  a 
flying  report,  that  he  will  consider  better  of  it,  and  drop  his  pre- 
tensions.” 

By  the  assistance  of  Judge  Wellford  of  Biclimond,  whose 
ancestors  belonged  to  the  region,  and  William  A.  Little  of 
Fredericksburg,  I have  made  out  the  following  facts.  The 
Ferry  alluded  to  by  Washington  is  described  in  6 Hening  p. 
18  as  ‘‘from  the  wharf  above  the  mouth  of  Massaponax  Creek 


HISTORICAL  AND  GEXEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxxiii 

to  tlie  opposite  landing  upon  Mr.  BalPs  land.”  The  wharf  on 
Spotswood’s  place  “ Nottingham  ” was  fully  four  miles  below 
Fredericksburg,  and  Taliaferro's  (“Epsom”)  just  above  that, 
— both  on  the  Spottsylvania  side.  The  “ Ball’s  Land  ” 
(“  Traveller’s  Best  ”)  contained  600  acres  ; Downman’s 
(“  Sherwood  Forest  ”)  north  of  it  900  acres ; next  these  being 
Mary  Washington’s  “Little  Falls,”  between  which  and  the 
Wahsington  Farm  came  the  Strother  Farm.  Mr.  A.  K. 
Phillips,  of  Fredericksburg,  writes  : “ I remember  when  the 
Washington  Farm  contained  between  600  and  800  acres,  and 
belonged  to  Col.  Hugh  Mercer,  son  of  the  General,  but  it  has 
been  sold  off  to  different  parties.  My  father  told  me  that 
when  he  removed  to  Fredericksburg  in  1806  the  Washington 
house  was  standing.  It  was  a plain  wooden  structure  of 
moderate  size,  and  painted  a dark  red  color.  The  Strother 
farm  a few  miles  below  the  Farm  is  known  as  ‘ Albion.’  It 
is  thought  that  long  years  ago  the  Washington  Farm  was  a 
part  of  the  Strother  Farm,  because  there  was  found  on  the 
Washington  tract  a stone  inscribed:  ‘John  Strother,  Gentle- 
man,’— no  doubt  placed  there  by  the  old  gentleman  as  a boun- 
dary mark.  The  Strother  farm  at  present  contains  about  700 
acres.” 

In  the  Will  of  Mary  (of  which  a facsimile  appears  in  the 
ILag.  Am.  Hist.,  March  1887)  she  bequeathes  the  General  her 
“ lands  on  Accokeek  Bun  in  Stafford  County.”  These  I have 
identified  as  part  of  a tract  now  called  “Furnace,”  on  which 
are  still  traceable  cinders  of  the  old  iron-works  in  which  Cap- 
tain Augustine  Washington  speculated  so  largely.  It  was 
one  of  five  forges  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  which  appear, 
by  the  Will  of  his  son  Lawrence,  to  be  still  bringing  some 
profits  in  1752.  But  Captain  Augustine  Washington  might 
have  made  more  by  his  ventures  had  he  not  died  prematurely 
(aged  49).  At  any  rate  his  widow  and  her  five  children  were 
left  poor.  The  half-brothers,  who  had  been  left  the  main 
properties,  acted  handsomely.  Augustine  took  George,  now 


xxxiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

twelve  years,  to  the  old  home  in  Westmoreland,  and  there 
sent  him  to  school, — it  is  said  to  a Mr.  AYilliams.  There, 
however,  he  seems  to  have  become  restless,  and  probably  re- 
turned to  his  mother  in  the  summer  of  1745.  The  winter’s 
schooling  was  probably  in  Fredericksburg.  It  is  certain  that 
the  summer  of  1746  was  passed  at  Mount  Yernon,  then  re- 
cently built  by  his  half-brother  Lawrence,  whose  young  wife 
was  Anne,  daughter  of  William  Fairfax  by  his  first  wife, 
Sarah  Walker.*  This  William  Fairfax,  kinsman  and  agent  of 
Lord  Fairfax,  had  married  as  his  second  wife  Deborah  Clarke, 
of  Salem,  Mass.,  with  whom  he  settled  in  Westmoreland,  Ya., 
in  1734.  He  and  Capt.  Augustine  Washington  had  migrated 
to  the  upper  Potomac  about  the  same  time,  1735, — Fairfax 
fixing  his  abode  at  Belvoir  (which  some  called  Beaver,  i.e. 
Beauvoir).  In  the  said  summer  (1746)  George  passed  a happy 
week  at  Belvoir.  A letter  from  Mr.  Fairfax  to  Lawrence 
mentioning  the  visit,  and  saying  that  George  had  promised  to 
be  “ steady,”  suggests  that  there  had  been  some  youthful  de- 
claration of  independence.  George  returned  home  and  con- 
tinued at  school  in  Fredericksburg. 

Fredericksburg  was  mainly  settled  by  relatives  of  the  Wash- 
ingtons. Col.  Harry  Willis,  chief  founder  of  the  town,  m. 
first  George’s  aunt,  2d.  his  cousin, — both  christened  Mildred 
Washington.  This  aunt  had  first  m.  Boger  Gregory,  their 
three  daughters  having  m.  three  brothers  Thornton  in  the 
neighborhood.  Another  founder  of  the  town,  John  Lewis, 
was  descended  from  Augustine  Warner,  whose  daughter  was 

^ “ The  family  of  Fairfax’s  in  Virginia,  of  whom  you  speak,  are  also  re- 
lated to  me  by  several  intermarriages  before  it  came  into  this  country  (as  I 
am  informed)  and  since.” — Washington  to  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  22  April 
1793.  (Mag.  Am.  Hist.  Feb.  1888.)  That  all  parties  concerned  were 
rather  late  in  discovering  this  relationship  (if  it  existed)  may  be  supposed 
from  the  tenor  of  Joseph  Ball's  letter  from  London  (1747)  to  his  half-sister, 
Mary  Washington,  advising  her  not  to  send  George  to  sea.  He  could  not 
hope  to  be  more  than  a common  sailor,  every  higher  post  being  sought  for 
there  (in  England)  by  “ those  who  have  interest,  and  he  [George]  has 
none.''* 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  XXXV 

Gen.  Washington’s  paternal  grandmother.  Thus  at  fifteen 
George  was  schoolmate  of  many  cousins.  The  newly  built 
church,  St.  George’s,  was  under  charge  of  a brilliant  French 
Huguenot, — Rev.  James  Marye, — who  had  taken  orders  in 
London.  He  would  naturally  have  charge  of  the  first  school 
also,  and  probably  taught  it.  Dr.  Toner,  in  his  excellent 
edition  of  the  “Rules  of  Civility,”  found  in  Washington’s 
boyish  writing,  with  the  date  1745,  shows  probabilities  that 
they  were  mainly  his  own  composition.  Some  of  the 
“ Rules,”  however,  resemble  those  in  the  Latin  work  (of  the 
Jesuit  Mussipontarius)  “ Communis  Yitce  inter  homines  scita 
urhanitasY  Leonard  Perm’s  translation  of  this  book  (1617) 
passed  through  several  editions,  and  from  it  the  Rev.  James 
Marye  may  have  instructed  the  boys  of  Fredericksburg  in 
those  rules  of  civility  of  which  the  school  children  of  our  own 
time  are  unfortunately  left  ignorant.  On  such  basis  the  pre- 
cocious boy  may  have  built  his  “ Rules ; ” for,  though  we 
must  not  forget  that  we  are  here  under  Old  Style,  according 
to  which  Washington  was  born  in  1731,  and  in  1745  was  four- 
teen,— he  certainly  was  precocious.  Major  Bju’d  Willis, — 
whose  towering  form  was  a striking  figure  in  the  Fredericks- 
burg of  my  boyhood, — grandson  of  Col.  Harry  Willis  and 
Washington’s  aunt  Mildred,  says  in  a MS.  (owned  by  his 
granddaughter  Mrs.  Tayloe  of  Fredericksburg) : “ My  father, 
Lewis  Willis,  was  a schoolmate  of  General  Washington,  his 
cousin,  wdio  was  two  years  his  senior.  He  spoke  of  the  Gen- 
eral’s industry  and  assiduity  at  school  as  very  remarkable. 
Whilst  his  brother  and  other  boys  at  playtime  were  at  bandy 
or  other  games  he  was  behind  the  door  ciphering.  But  one 
youthful  ebullition  is  handed  down  while  at  that  school,  and 
that  w’as  romping  with  one  of  the  largest  girls  ; this  was  so 
unusual  that  it  excited  no  little  comment  among  the  other 
lads.” 

Perhaps  this  romp  was  with  Jane  Strother,  in  whom  and 
her  sister  Alice  (daughters  of  William)  the  Washington  chil- 


XXXvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

dren  had  found  their  best  playmates  across  the  river.  Jane 
married  Hon.  Thomas  Lewis  of  Augusta  Co.,  and  Alice 
Robert  Washington  of  Chotanck.  Other  neighbors  were 
the  Fitzhughs  and  the  Alexanders.  It  may  have  been  to  one 
of  the  latter  family  that  George  wrote  his  boyish  acrostic : 

“From  your  bright  sparkling  eyes  I was  undone ; 

Eays  you  have  more  transparent  than  the  Sun 
Amidst  its  glory  in  the  rising  Day, 

None  can  you  equal  in  your  bright  array  : 

Constant  in  your  calm  and  unspotted  mind ; 

Equal  to  all,  but  will  to  none  Prove  kind, 

So  knowing  seldom  one  so  young  you’ll  find. 

Ah,  woe’s  me  that  I should  love  and  conceal 
Long  have  I wished  but  never  dare  reveal. 

Even  though  severely  Love’s  Pain  I feel ; 

Xerxes  that  great  wan’t  free  from  Cupid’s  dart, 

And  all  the  greatest  Heroes  felt  the  smart.” 

“ Alexa,”  however,  was  the  abbreviation  of  Alexandria,  and 
possibly  the  acrostic  may  be  on  some  fair  Fanny  of  that  town. 
Various  young  ladies  have  been  traditionally  named  as  objects 
of  George  Washington’s  youthful  love,  but  I can  discover  no 
evidence  of  any  early  passion  save  for  his  Lowland  Beauty 
and  it  is  tolerably  certain  that  this  was  either  Francis 
Alexa”  of  the  acrostic,  or  Betsy  Fauntleroy.  The  youthful 
letters  which  have  raised  so  many  fair  claimants  to  the  honor 
of  having  rejected  Washington  are  known  only  in  their 
writer’s  drafts.  They  are  without  date  but  bear  indications 
of  early  1749  (H.  S.)  when  Washington  was  near  seventeen. 
The  similar  phrases  and  allusions  in  the  three  letters  prove 
them  written  about  the  same  date.  The  Mrs.  Fairfax  al- 
luded to  was  the  Sally  Cary,  whose  legendary  love-affair 
with  Washington  is  thus  shown  to  have  been  impossible  be- 
fore her  marriage,  which  occurred  17  Dec.  1748.  Another 
hypothesis,  that  her  sister  Mary  (who  m.  Edward  Ambler  in 
1752)  was  the  “ Lowland  Beauty,”  is  disproved  by  the  refer- 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxxvii 

ence  to  her  in  the  very  letter  containing  that  famous  phrase, 
— the  letter  to  “Dear  Dobin.”  The  letter  preceding  this 
may  have  been  to  John,  the  son  of  Townshend  Washington 
of  “Greenhill”  (now  “Panorama,”  near  the  head  of  Cho- 
tanck  Creek),  grandson  of  Lawrence  the  immigrant.  The 
Lawrence  alluded  to  in  it  may  have  been  J ohn’s  twin  brother, 
but  more  probably  his  (John’s)  first  cousin  Lawrence  of  Cho- 
tanck,  mentioned  in  Washington’s  will  as  a friend  of  his 
juvenile  years.  The  entire  rough  draft  is  given. 

“ Deae  Feiexd  John, 

“ As  it  is  the  greatest  mark  of  friendship  and  esteem  yon  can  show 
to  an  absent  Friend  In  often  writing  to  him  so  hope  youl  not  deny  me 
that  Favour  as  its  so  ardently  wish’t  and  desired  by  me.  its  the  great- 
est pleasure  I can  yet  forsee  of  having  in  fairfax  to  hear  from  my 
friends  Particularly  yourself  was  my  affections  disengaged  I might 
perhaps  form  some  pleasui’es  in  the  conversasion  of  an  agreeable  young 
Lady  as  theres  one  now  lives  in  the  same  house  with  me  [crossed  out : 
but  as  that  only  serves  to  make  me  more  dull  by  putting  me  oftener 
in  remembrance  of  the  other]  but  as  that’s  only  nouinshment  to  my 
former  aflfec*  for  by  often  seeing  her  brings  the  other  into  my  remem- 
brance whereas  perhaps  was  she  not  often  (unavoidably)  presenting 
herself  to  my  view  I might  in  some  measure  eleviate  my  sorrows  by 
burying  the  other  in  the^rave  of  oblivion  I am  well  convinced  my 
heart  stands  in  defiance  of  all  others  but  only  she  thats  given  it 
[crossed  out : too  much]  cause  enough  to  dread  a second  assault  and 
from  a different  Quarter  tho  I well  know  let  it  have  as  many  attacks 
as  it  will  from  others  they  cant  be  more  fierce  than  it  has  been  I could 
wish  to  know  whether  you  have  taken  your  intended  trip  downwards 
or  not  if  you  with  what  success  as  also  to  know  how  my  friend  Law- 
rence drives  on  in  the  art  of  courtship  as  I fancy  you  both  neai’ly 
guess  how  it  will  respectively  go  with  each  of  you.” 

The  next  letter  is  addressed  to  “ Dear  friend  Robin,” — 
probably  Robert  Washington,  of  Chotanck,  remembered  in 
Washington’s  AVill. 

“My  place  of  residence,”  he  writes,  “is  at  present  at  his  lordship's, 
where  I might,  was  my  heart  disengaged,  pass  my  time  very  pleasantly 
as  there’s  a very  agreeable  young  lady  lives  in  the  same  house  (Col. 


XXXviii  HLSTORICAL  AST>  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

George  Fairfax’s  wife’s  sister.)  Bat  as  that’s  only  adding  fuel  to  fire, 
it  makes  me  the  more  uneasy,  for  by  often  and  unavoidably  being  in 
company  with  her  revives  my  former  passion  for  your  Lowland  beauty ; 
whereas,  was  I to  live  more  retired  from  young  women,  I might  elevi- 
ate  in  some  measure  my  sorrows  by  burying  that  chaste  and  trouble- 
some passion  in  the  grave  of  oblivion  or  eteamall  forgetfulness,  for  as 
I am  very  well  assured,  that’s  the  only  antidote  or  remedy  that  I ever 
shall  be  relieved  by  or  only  recess  that  can  administer  any  cure  or 
help  to  me,  as  I am  well  convinced,  was  I ever  to  attempt  anything, 
I should  only  get  a denial  which  would  be  only  adding  grief  to  un- 
easiness.” 

The  next  letter  is  to  a female  confidant, — who  may  have 
been,  Eev.  Horace  E.  Hayden  writes  me,  either  of  his  young 
contemporaries  and  relatives,  Sarah  Ball,  Sarah  (Ball)  Jones, 
or  Sarah  Conway  (niece  of  Col.  Edwin  Conway,  who  married 
Mary  Ball’s  half-sister).  The  fair  alluded  to  was  probably 
that  of  June,  though  there  was  also  an  annual  October  fair  in 
Fredericksburg.  The  entire  draft  is  here  given. 

“ Deae  Sally 

“This  comes  to  Fredericksburg  fair  in  hopes  of  meeting  with  a 
speedy  Passage  to  you  if  your  not  there  which  hope  youl  get  shortly 
altho  I am  almost  discouraged  from  writing  to  you  as  this  is  my 
fourth  to  you  since  I receivd  any  from  yourself.  I hope  youl  not 
make  the  Old  Proverb  good  out  of  sight  out  of  Mind  as  its  one  of  the 
greatest  Pleasures  I can  yet  foresee  of  having  in  Fairfax  in  often  hear- 
ing from  you  hope  you’l  not  deny  it  me. 

“ I pass  the  time  of  much  more  agreable  than  what  I imagined  I 
should  as  there’s  a very  agreeable  young  Lady  lives  in  the  said  house 
where  I reside  (CoP.  George  Fairfax’s  wife’s  sister)  which  in  a great 
measure  chears  my  sorrow  and  dejectedness  tho’  not  so  as  to  draw  my 
thoughts  altogether  from  your  Parts  I could  wish  to  be  with  you 
down  there  with  all  my  heart  but  as  it  is  a thing  almost  Impractakable 
shall  rest  myself  where  I am  with  hopes  of  shortly  having  some 
Minutes  of  your  transactions  in  your  Parts  which  will  be  very  wel- 
comely  receiv’d  by  your  ” 

We  have,  however,  a letter  of  Washington  in  which  is 
found  the  only  name  with  which  his  youthful  affections  can 


HISTORICAL  AXD  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xxxix 


be  safely  associated.  It  is  addressed  to  “ William  Fauntleroy 
Sr.  ill  Richmond,”  (i.e.  ■ Richmond  County,  in  which  was 
XayloFs  Hold,  seat  of  the  Fauntleroy s). 

“ May  20,  1752. 

“Sir, 

“ I should  have  been  down  long  before  this,  but  my  business  in 
Frederick  detained  me  somewhat  longer  than  I expected,  and  immedi- 
ately upon  my  return  from  thence  I was  taken  with  a violent  pleuiise 
which  has  reduced  me  veiy  low ; but  purpose  as  soon  as  I recover  my 
strength,  to  wait  on  Miss  Betsy,  in  hopes  of  a revocation  of  the  former 
cruel  sentence,  and  see  if  I cannot  obtain  an  alteration  in  my  favor. 
I have  enclosed  a letter  to  her,  which  should  be  much  obliged  to  you 
for  the  delivery  of  it.  I have  nothing  to  add  but  my  best  respects  to 
your  good  lady  and  family,  and  that  I am.  Sir, 

“ Y’r  most  ob'd’t  humble  servant, 

“G.  Washes*gton.” 

The  first  courtship  of  Betsy  Fauntleroy,  to  whose  grand- 
father this  letter  was  written  and  sent  (the  original  was  once 
owned  by  Gov.  Fitzhugh  Lee)  must  have  occurred  before  2S 
Sept.  1751,  when  Washington  accompanied  his  invalid  brother 
Lawrence  to  the  Barbadoes, — from  which  he  returned  in 
1752,  reaching  Wakefield  March  4,  his  mother  the  5th ; (jour- 
neying next  day  to  Mount  Vernon  to  bear  Lawrence’s  wife 
tidings  of  her  husband,  and,  it  would  appear,  going  to  Fred- 
erick soon  after  to  see  after  Lawrence’s  estates  there).  It  will 
be  seen  then  that  having  courted  and  been  rejected  by  Miss 
Betsy  when  he  was  little  over  nineteen,  if  not  earlier,  there  is 
good  reason  to  identify  her  with  the  “ Lowland  Beauty  ” be- 
loved at  seventeen. 

Betsy  Fauntleroy,  great-granddaughter  of  the  famous  cava- 
lier Moore  Fauntleroy,  of  Xaylor's  Hold,  was  in  every  re- 
spect a “ Lowland  Beauty.’'  She  married  an  Adams,  and  be- 
came the  mother  of  the  lion.  Thomas  Adams.  It  is  said 
that  when,  after  her  marriage,  she  saw  her  rejected  lover, — 
now  master  of  Mount  Vernon  and  a famous  Colonel, — riding 
into  Williamsburg, — she  fainted.  But  there  is  no  reason  to 


xl  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


suppose  that  she  ever  regretted  her  choice.  To  this  disap- 
pointment we  may  ascribe  the  other  sonnet  by  Washington : 


“ Oh  Ye  Gods  why  should  my  Poor  resistless  Heart 
Stand  to  oppose  thy  might  and  Power 
At  last  surrender  to  Cupid’s  feather’d  Dart 
And  now  lays  bleeding  every  Hour 
For  her  that’s  Pityless  of  my  grief  and  Woes, 

And  will  not  on  me  Pity  take. 

I’ll  sleep  among  my  most  inveterate  Foes 
And  with  gladness  never  wish  to  wake, 

In  deluding  sleepings  let  my  Eyelids  close 
That  in  an  enraptured  dream  I may 
In  a rapt  lulling  sleep  and  gentle  repose 
Possess  those  joys  denied  by  Day.” 

The  little  poem  was  written  by  a poor  youth,  uneducated 
as  compared  with  the  Fauntleroys,  who  were  graduated  in 
Scottish  universities.  George  Washington  had  been  com- 
pelled to  leave  school  at  sixteen  and  earn  his  living.  In  this 
same  pathetic  little  book  is  his  first  entry  of  a survey,  “March 
11, 1747/8.”  Then  we  have  such  notes  as  these : — 


“ March  y«  15,  1747/8.  Suiwey’d  for  George  Fairfax  Esq''  a Tract 
of  Land  lying  on  Cate’s  Marsh  and  Long  Marsh.” 

“ Read  to  the  Reign  of  K : John.” 

“ In  the  Spectator  Read  to  143.” 

“ Memorandum  of  what  clothes  I Carry  into  Fairfax.  Razor, 

7 Shirts  2 D“  Carr^  by  Mr.  Thornton 
6 Linnen  Waistcoats 
1 Cloth  Do 

6 Bands 

4 Neck  Cloths 

7 Caps.” 

“ M.  The  regulator  of  my  watch  now  is  4 m : and  over  the  fifth 
from  the  Slow  end.” 


“ Twas  perfect  Love  before 
But  now  I do  adore 


S.  Young  M : A.” 


“ Whats  the  noblest  Passion  of  the  Mind.  Qy.’* 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xll 

Tradition  has  made  Washington’s  mother  a “belle  ” in  early 
life,  and  a saint  in  later  years.  President  Jackson,  who  dedi- 
cated her  monument  at  Fredericksburg  (May,  1833),  had 
received  from  Washington  himself  and  others  ample  informa- 
tion. “ She  acquired  and  maintained,”  he  said,  “ a wonder- 
ful ascendency  over  those  around  her.  This  true  character- 
istic of  genius  attended  her  through  life ; and  even  in  its 
decline,  after  her  son  had  led  his  country  to  independence,  he 
approached  her  with  the  same  reverence  she  taught  him  to 
exhibit  in  early  life.  This  course  of  maternal  discipline  no 
doubt  restrained  the  natural  ardor  of  his  temperament  and 
conferred  upon  him  that  power  of  self-command  which  was 
one  of  the  remarkable  traits  of  his  character.”  Mary  Wash- 
ington hated  to  display  any  of  her  emotions.  George  Kiger, 
well  remembered  by  the  present  writer,  used  to  relate  how  he 
galloped  a long  way  to  bear  a letter  from  Washington  to  his 
mother,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  revolution.  He  found  her 
in  her  garden  in  her  usual  short  yellow  gown,  occupied  with 
her  vegetables.  Kiger  waited,  but  the  old  lady  went  on  with 
her  work,  without  opening  the  letter.  At  length  the  youth 
exclaimed,  “ Madam,  this  whole  community  is  interested  in 
that  letter.”  Thereupon  she  opened  the  despatch,  which  an- 
nounced a victory ; but  all  the  news  she  vouchsafed  the  mes- 
senger was  the  smiling  remark,  “ George  generally  carries 
through  anything  he  undertakes.”  The  anecdote  recalls  one 
concerning  the  General,  who  had  just  begun  a sitting  for  his 
portrait  when  despatches  were  brought.  He  glanced  at  them, 
and  continued  the  sitting  without  remark.  The  despatches 
announced  the  capture  of  Burgoyne. 

Historians,  by  the  way,  have  overlooked  a remarkable  in- 
stance of  Washington’s  self-command.  When  Cornwallis 
surrendered  Washington  saved  him  the  humiliation  of  per- 
sonally delivering  up  his  sword  ; but  Gen.  O’Hara,  who  per- 
formed this  task,  repaid  the  magnanimity  by  offering  the 
sword  to  Bochambeau,  who  stood  at  the  head  of  a file  of 


xlii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


Frencli  soldiers  on  tlie  left,  while  Washington  headed  the 
Americans  on  the  right.  The  Frenchman  promptly  refused 
to  touch  the  sword,  and  O’Hara  then  offered  it  to  Washington, 
who  did  not  touch  it,  but  said  coldly,  “ Pass  on.”  O’Hara 
was  compelled  to  pass  on  between  files  of  angry  soldiers  and 
deliver  up  the  sword  to  a distaiff  subaltern. 

Local  traditions  say  that  Mary  AYashington  could  never 
think  of  George  as  other  than  ‘‘  her  boy,”  and  that  he  either 
felt  the  same  or  humored  her.  On  one  occasion  her  servant 
told  her  that  “ Mars’  George  ” had  put  up  at  the  tavern. 

Go  and  tell  George  to  come  here  instantly  ! ” she  cried.  The 
General  presently  appeared  with  his  baggage,  meek  before 
her  reproach,  explaining  that  he  could  not  feel  certain  that  his 
sojourn  with  her  would  be  convenient.  Her  small  house  in 
Fredericksburg  could  not  accommodate  AYashington’s  family, 
and  it  had  no  stables  ; but  he  was  careful,  on  proper  occasions, 
to  alight  with  his  wife  at  his  mother’s  door,  the  chariot  being 
quietly  taken  around  to  Kenmore  (the  Lewis  residence)  where 
they  also  lodged. 

An  instance  of  his  mothers  habit  of  domestic  dependence 
on  AYashington  is  shown  in  his  letter  to  her  from  the  camp  at 
AYill’s  Creek,  in  June  1755,  while  on  the  great  Braddock 
campaign  (printed  by  E.  E.  Hale): 

“Hon’d  Madam,”  he  writes,  “I  was  favored  with  your  letter,  by 
Mr.  Dick,  and  am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  provide  you  with  a 
Dutch  servant,  or  the  butter,  agreeably  to  your  desire.  We  are  quite 
out  of  the  part  of  the  country  where  either  is  to  be  had,  there  being 
few  or  no  inhabitants  where  we  now  lie  encamped,  and  butter  cannot 
be  had  here  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  army.”  “I  hope,”  he  also 
says,  “ you  will  spend  the  chief  part  of  your  time  at  Mount  Ternon,  as 
you  have  proposed  to  do,  where  I am  certain  every  thing  will  be  or- 
dered as  much  to  your  satisfaction  as  possible,  in  the  situation  we 
are  in  there.” 

In  a letter  to  her  brother  Joseph,  in  London,  26  July  1759, 
the  mother  writes  : “ There  was  no  end  to  my  troubles  while 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xliii 


George  was  in  the  army,  but  he  has  now  given  it  up.’’  (Am. 
Hist.  Mag.^  i.  p.  413.)  Another  letter  to  the  same  (loaned  me 
by  Dr.  Emmet)  contains  interesting  items. 


“July  the  2,  1760. 

“ Dear  Brother,  this  Corns  by  Cap*  Nickelson  You  Seem  to  blam 
me  for  not  writing  to  you  butt  I doe  a Shour  you  it  is  Note  for  wante 
of  a very  great  Regard  for  you  & the  family  butt  as  I Dont  Ship  tobacco 
the  Captins  Never  Calls  one  me  Soe  that  I Never  knows  when  tha  Come 
or  when  tha  goe.  I believe  you  have  got  a very  good  overseer  at  this 
quarter  now  Capt  Newton  has  taken  a large  peace  of  grownd  from  you 
which  I dear  say  if  you  had  been  hear  your  Self  it  had  not  been  Don 
Mr.  Danial  & his  wife  & family  is  well  Cozen  Hannah  has  been  married 
& Lost  her  husband  She  has  one  Child  a boy  pray  give  my  Love  to 
Sister  Ball  & Mr.  Downman  [Joseph  Ball’s  son-in  law]  & his  Lady  & am 
Dear  Brother 

Your  Loving  Sister 

Mary  Washington.” 

The  “ Mr.  Danial  ” alluded  to  in  the  above  note  was  Mr. 
Peter  Daniel,  a magistrate  of  Stafford  County,  who  resigned 
rather  than  enforce  the  Stamp  Act ; he  married  the  daughter 
of  Hannah  (Ball)  Travers,  Mary  Washington’s  half-sister. 
The  “Hewton  Farm” 4s  still  known  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  next  letter  was  sent  me  by  my  late  brother,  Pichard 
M.  Conway.  It  is  without  date,  and  addressed  to  her  son 
John  Augustine  Washington,  Bushfield,  Westmoreland,  Ya. 

“ Dear  Johnne, — I am  glad  to  hear  you  and  all  the  family  is  well, 
and  should  be  glad  if  I could  write  you  the  same.  I am  a going  fast, 
and  it,  the  time,  is  hard.  I am  borrowing  a little  Cornn — no  Cornn 
in  the  Cornn  house.  I never  lived  soe  poore  in  my  life.  Was  it  not 
for  Mr.  French  and  your  sister  Lewis  I should  be  almost  starved,  but 
I am  like  an  old  almanack  quite  out  of  date.  Give  my  love  to  Mrs. 
Washington — all  the  family.  I am  dear  Johnne  your  loving  and  af- 
fectionate Mother. 

“P.S.  I should  be  glad  to  see  you  as  I dont  expect  to  hold  out 
long.” 


xliv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION 

Dr.  Toner,  on  mv  account  of  this  letter,  suggests  that  it 
was  written  in  the  troubled  year  preceding  the  revolution, 
before  her  children  persuaded  her  to  move  into  Fredericks- 
burg. I have  not  been  able  to  trace  her  on  the  farm  across 
the  river  later  than  1772,  but  she  certainly  remained  there 
long  after  her  children  had  left,  and  despite  their  desire  that 
she  should  dwell  with  them.^  In  the  grumbling  letter  is 
reflected  her  horror  of  dependence.  The  house  in  Fred- 
ericksburg, still  standing,  is  small  but  preserves  traces  of 
the  neat  home  arranged  for  her.  The  lot  adjoins  Kenmore. 
As  the  place  is  not  mentioned  in  her  Will  it  probably  be- 
longed to  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  or  the  General.  A chariot, 
phaeton,  three  horses,  and  six  negroes  were  among  her  be- 
quests. 

A few  hundred  yards  from  Kenmore  Mary  Washington 
was  buried.  It  is  a picturesque  place,  with  a cluster  of  trees 
shading  gravestones,  chiefly  of  the  Gordons,  who  so  long  oc- 
cupied Kenmore.  Tradition  points  out  a rock  overlooking 
the  vale  as  the  spot  where  the  aged  mother  of  Washington 
was  wont  to  repair  for  meditation.  Kear  tliis  stands  her 
monument,  whose  unflnished  condition  gave  rise  to  a maga- 
zine romance  which  some  have  taken  seriously.  It  is  said 
that  a maiden  of  Fredericksburg  plighted  her  troth  on  con- 
dition that  her  suitor  should  build  a monument  over  her 
relative,  the  Mother  of  Washington ; but  before  it  was  com- 
pleted her  lover  was  jilted  and  the  work  stopped.  As  a 
matter  of  fact  the  work  was  generously  undertaken  by  Mr. 
Burroughs,  a citizen  of  Kew  York,  whose  failure  in  business 
caused  the  cessation  of  work.  The  monument  stood  in  a 

^ By  his  first  wife,  Jane  Butler,  Augustine  Washington  had  children  : 1. 
Butler  {d.  infant) ; 2.  Augustine  (m.  Anne  Aylett) ; 3.  Lawrence  {m.  Anne 
Fairfax) ; 4,  Jane  {d.  infant).  Of  the  issue  by  Mary  Ball,  George  m.  Martha 
Dandridge  Custis ; Betty  m.  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  ; Samuel  m.  successively 
Jane  Champe,  Mildred  Thornton,  Lucy  Chapman,  Anne  Steptoe,  Mrs. 
Perrin, — dying  in  1781,  aged  47;  Jno.  Augustine  m.  Hannah  Bushrod  ; 
Charles  m.  Mildred  Thornton  ; — the  6th  child,  Mildred,  d.  infant. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xlv 

centre  of  the  battles  which  raged  in  and  around  Fredericks- 
burg, during  the  Civil  War ; it  is  of  pretty  design,  and  strik- 
ing in  the  distance,  but  scarred  with  shot  and  shell, — a dismal 
memorial  indeed.  Beside  it  lies  the  long  marble  spire  which 
in  May  1833  a procession,  headed  by  President  Jackson,  fol- 
lowed to  the  spot  with  patriotic  rejoicings. 

It  may  be  that  from  his  mother  and  plebeian  grandmother 
(as  I suppose)  the  Widow  Johnson,  Washington  derived  a 
certain  strain  of  blood  which,  at  the  first  gun  of  indepen- 
dence, was  strong  enough  to  bid  farewell  to  his  aristocratic 
friends  at  Belvoir  and  Williamsburg  palace,  and  take  the  side 
of  the  people. 

Mary  Washington  has  been  suspected  of  “Toryism”  be- 
cause she  hated  war ; declared  “ this  fighting  and  killing  ” a 
bad  business,  and  wished  that  “ George  would  come  home 
and  attend  to  his  plantation.”  The  spirit  which  animated  her 
crude  utterances  was  Washington’s  best  inheritance  from  his 
mother.  It  is  a fine  omen  on  the  new  world’s  horizon  that 
its  great  commander  was  a man  of  peace.  An  arbitrator  of 
the  playground  in  boyhood,  his  first  commissions  were  for 
peaceful  negotiations  with  the  Indians  and  the  French.  There 
was,  indeed,  a spirit  of  adventure  in  him  ; but  it  found  satis- 
faction in  the  chase,  arid  in  exploring  the  wilderness.  Miss 
Jessie  Stabler,  of  Sandy  Spring  Md.,  sends  me  an  extract 
from  the  letter-book  of  her  great-great-grandfather,  Edward 
Stabler,  a leading  Quaker  at  Petersburg  Ya.  in  the  last  cen- 
tury. Under  date  of  “12  mo:  20th.  1756,”  he  writes  to 
English  Friends : 

“In  the  Spring  there  was  an  Act  made  for  Drafting  the  Militia  by 
Lot,  in  which  Friends  were  not  exempted  but  on  whomsoever  the  Lot 
fell  upon  were  obliged  to  go  as  Soldiers  or  pay  £10  to  hire  another 
man  in  their  stead,  & I am  sorry  to  say  the  generallity  of  Friends 
complyed  with  it.  Except  seven  young  men  who  would  not  comply 
to  go  nor  hire  another  in  their  stead,  & so  were  taken  by  Force  & 
carried  over  the  Mountains  to  the  Army,  & after  they  had  been  there 


xlvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


some  time  I understood  they  were  like  to  meet  with  cruel  usage  if 
they  did  not  comply  to  bear  arms  & tho’  most  Friends  acknowledged  it 
would  be  right  for  some  to  visit  them  yet  none  seemed  forward  to  go 
as  it  appeared  dangerous  to  travail  over  the  Mountains  at  that  time, 
the  Indians  having  done  much  mischief  in  them  parts  yet  I could  not 
be  easy  in  my  own  mind  without  going  myself,  & use  what  endeavours 
I was  capable  of  for  their  release  out  of  Prison  where  they  had  been 
kept  close  confined  for  about  10  weeks,  I had  several  good  oppor- 
tunities with  Coll.  Washington  to  open  our  principles  to  him  & rea- 
sons why  we  could  not  be  active  in  the  carrying  on  of  War.  he 
seemed  very  moderate  before  we  parted  & inclined  to  favor  them,  but 
said  as  they  were  sent  to  him  by  the  Government  he  could  not  release 
them  and  had  rec’d  orders  from  the  Gov.''  to  have  them  Whipped 
every  day  ’till  they  would  comply.  I requested  him  to  omit  putting 
the  Gow’®  orders  in  execution  ’till  I could  go  & speak  with  him  (w.'"*' 
was  upward  of  250  miles  part  of  the  way  through  an  uninhabited 
country  & over  very  high  Mountains)  & four  more  Friends  accom- 
panied me  to  the  Gov.''  we  had  a great  deal  of  Discourse  w‘^  him  & 
he  promised  us  he  would  write  to  Coll.  Washington  to  be  favourable 
to  them,  w.‘=  ^ he  did — I got  them  releas’d  out  of  Prison  when  I was 
there,  & to  have  liberty  to  go  to  some  Friends  Houses  that  liv’d  about 
5 or  6 miles  distant  upon  being  bound  for  their  appearance  there  when 
the  Coll,  rec’d  other  orders  from  the  Gov.''  but  they  were  not  called 
upon  afterwards  nor  anything  required  of  them.” 

In  sending  the  above  Miss  Jessie  Stabler  adds : 

“ I heard  Mr.  Henry  Stabler  of  this  neighborhood  tell  another  story 
of  Washington  and  the  Friends.  Warner  Mifflin  was  on  a committee 
to  remonstrate  with  President  Washington  about  War,  and  during  the 
conversation,  remarked  that  the  advantages  gained  by  War  do  not 
compensate  for  the  loss  of  life  and  limb.  Washington  thought  for 
some  minutes  and  then  said,  ‘ Mr.  Mifflin,  there  is  more  in  that  than 
most  people  are  willing  to  admit.’  ” 

When  Washington  and  his  wife  met,  the  days  of  romance 
were  perhaps  over  for  both  of  them,  but  they  grew  together. 
At  her  Six  Chimney  House,”  Williamsburg,  where  the 
honeymoon  passed,  Martha  planted  a Yew  which  remains, 
and  is  a fair  symbol  of  her  never-failing  loyalty  and  devotion. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION,  xlvii 

“A  most  amiable  woman,”  wrote  S.  Johnston  to  James 
Iredell  (1790);  “if  I live  much  longer  I shall  at  last  be  rec- 
onciled to  the  company  of  old  women  for  her  sake.”  Her 
husband’s  frank  admirations  excited  no  jealousy.  The  Hon. 
Jasper  Yates  writes  to  his  wife:  “Mr.  Washington  once  told 
me,  on  a charge  which  I once  made  against  the  President  at 
his  own  table,  that  the  admiration  he  warmly  professed  for 
Mrs.  Hartley  was  a proof  of  his  Homage  to  the  worthy  part 
of  the  Sex,  and  highly  respectful  to  his  wife.”  Put  she  was, 
in  the  old  sense  homely  as  she  was  comely.  While  following 
her  husband  to  the  field  she  longed,  even  amid  plaudits,  for 
home.  She  writes  to  her  brother  from  Philadelphia  (2  Hov. 
1778) : 

“ I am  very  uneasy  at  this  time — I have  some  reason  to  think  that  I 
shall  take  another  trip  to  the  northward — the  poor  General  is  not 
likely  to  come  to  see  us,  from  what  I can  hear.  I expect  to  hear  cer- 
tainly by  the  next  Post.  If  I doe  I shall  write  to  inform  you  and  my 
friends.  If  I am  soe  happy  as  to  stay  at  home  I shall  hope  to  see  you 
with  my  sisters  as  soon  as  you  are  at  leisure.  Please  to  give  Patty  a 
kiss  for  me.  I have  sent  her  a pair  of  shoes.  There  wasn’t  a doll  to 
be  got  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  or  I would  have  sent  her  one.” 

Mr.  Ferdinand  Dreer  of  Philadelphia  has  a letter  of  Mar- 
tha Washington  (it  appeared  in  Harper^ s Magazine^  April 
1889,)  written,  the  year  after  her  marriage,  to  her  sister 
Anna  (Mrs.  Burwell  Bassett)  congratulating  her  on  the  birth 
of  a girl — “ I wish  I could  say  boy  as  I know  how  much  one 
of  that  sex  was  desired  by  you  all” — she  adds  : “I  think  my- 
self in  a better  state  of  helth  than  I have  been  in  for  a long 
time  and  dont  dout  but  I shall  present  you  a fine  healthy  girl 
again  when  I come  doun  in  the  Fall  which  is  as  soon  as  Mr. 
W ns  business  will  suffer  him  to  leave  home.” 

This  longing  for  a daughter  at  the  moment  of  desiring  for 
her  sister  a son  is  pathetically  suggestive.  The  great  soldier 
loved  to  have  little  Patsy  and  Kelly  nestling  at  his  side,  and 


xlviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


the  unsatisfied  paternal  longing  of  his  great  heart  was  keenly 
felt  by  his  wife.^ 

The  following  was  written  to  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington, 
then  keeping  house  at  Mount  Yernon  : 

New  York  Oct.  the  22d  1789 

“ My  Dear  Fanny, — I have  by  Mrs.  Sims  sent  you  a watch  ; it  is  one 
of  the  cargoe  that  I have  so  long  mentioned  to  you,  that  was  expected, 
I hope  is  such  a one  as  will  please  you — it  is  of  the  newest  fashion,  if 
that  has  any  influence  on  your  tast,  the  chain  is  of  Mr.  Lears  choosing 
and  such  as  Mrs.  Adams  the  Vice  presidents  lady  and  those  in  the 
polite  circle  wear. 

“ Mrs.  Sims  will  give  you  a better  account  of  the  fashions  than  I can — 
I live  a very  dull  life  hear  and  know  nothing  that  passes  in  the  town — 
I never  goe  to  any  public  place — indeed  I think  I am  more  like  a State 
prisoner  than  anything  else  ; there  is  certain  bounds  set  for  me  which 
I must  not  depart  from — and  as  I cannot  doe  as  I like,  I am  obstinate 
and  stay  at  home  a great  deal. 

“ The  President  set  out  this  day  week  on  a tour  to  the  eastward  ; Mr, 
Lear  and  Major  Jackson  attended  him — my  dear  children  has  had 
very  bad  colds  but  thank  god  they  are  getting  better.  My  love  and 


^ Washington’s  tenderness  towards  children  is  traceable  in  many  a flower 
along  the  track  of  war.  One  instance  which  has  not  been  published  I have 
found  among  the  papers  of  Gen.  Artemas  Ward,  in  the  possession  of  his  de- 
scendant Mr.  Alfred  Dix  of  New  York.  At  a time  when  the  British  in  Bos- 
ton were  using  non-combatants  to  convey  correspondence  to  abettors  outside, 
Washington  made  a rigid  order  that  none  should  enter  or  come  out  of  the 
city.  But  one  day  an  appeal  came  to  Cambridge  that  a little  child  might  be 
taken  into  Boston  to  receive  medical  care.  The  order  was  returned : “ His 
Excellency  desires  that  when  Mr.  Loring’s  child  is  brought  in  order  to  go 
into  Boston  that  you  will  have  its  deaths  examined  lest  there  should  be 
letters  concealed  in  them.”  The  poet  who  so  long  wrote  hymns  of  peace  in 
Craigie  House,  where  Washington  gave  that  order,  would  have  left  us  a 
lyric  of  the  incident,  had  he  known  it.  Washington  was  known  to  have 
gone  out  of  his  way  to  warn  children,  eager  to  gaze  at  the  soldiers,  that  they 
were  in  danger, — generally  patting  them  kindly  on  the  head.  In  the  biog- 
raphy of  Judge  Phillips  of  Andover,  it  is  related  that  when  Washington 
breakfasted  in  that  town  (5  Nov.  1789),  “he  asked  the  little  daughter  of 
Deacon  Abbot  to  mend  his  riding-glove  for  him ; and  when  she  had  done 
it,  took  her  upon  his  knee  and  gave  her  a kiss;  which  so  elated  Miss  Pris- 
cilla that  she  would  not  allow  her  face  to  be  washed  again  for  a week.” 
But  a similar  story,  glove  included,  is  recorded  of  his  visit  to  Haverhill ! 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xlix 

good  wishes  attend  yon  and  all  with  you — remember  me  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs  L.  Wn  [Lund  Washington]  how  is  the  poor  child — kiss  Marie  I 
send  her  two  little  handkerchiefs  to  wipe  her  nose.  Adue.” 

The  Lewis  family,  so  intimately  connected  with  Washing- 
ton, is  not  of  any  known  relationship  to  the  Lewises  who 
founded  Augusta  Co.  Ya.  Its  ancestor  in  Virginia  was  Gen. 
Eobert  Lewis,  of  Brecon,  Wales,  who  in  1650  obtained  a 
grant  in  Gloucester  Co.  Va.  of  33,333 J acres.  His  son  John, 
educated  in  England,  married  Elizabeth  (daughter  of  Augus- 
tine and  Mildred)  Warner,  and  built  ‘‘Warner  Hall” — the 
great  mansion  of  twenty-six  rooms  in  Gloucester.  Major 
John  Lewis,  eldest  son  of  John  of  “ Warner  Hall,”  m.  Frances 
Fielding  (supposed  surname)  who  d,  1731 ; her  husband 
lived  until  1754.  This  Major  John  Lewis  was  the  lawyer 
with  whom  Chancellor  Wythe  studied,  and  a member  of 
Council.  He  was  the  “ John  Lewis,  Gentleman,”  who,  with 
Col.  Harry  Willis,  laid  out  the  site  of  Fredericksburg  in  1727. 
Major  John  and  Frances  (Fielding)  Lewis  had  four  sons  : 
Warner,  h.  7 Oct.  1720;  John,  h.  1723  ; Fielding,  h.  7 July 
1725 ; Charles,  1.  25  Feb.  1729. 

Col.  Fielding  Lewis  of  ‘rKenmore,”  third  son  of  Major  John,  became 
an  active  citizen  of  Fredericksburg  in  its  early  days, . and  is  said  in  its 
official  annals  to  have  owned  nearly  half  of  the  town.  In  1746  he  m. 
Catharine  Washington, — great-granddaughter  of  the  above-named 
Augustine  Warner,  his  (Fielding’s)  great-grandfather.  (Lawrence 
Washington,  the  General’s  grandfather,  m.  Mildred  Warner.)  Issue 
of  Col.  Fielding  and  Catharine  (Washington)  Lewis  : 

1.  John,  h.  22  June  1747  ; his  uncle  John  Lewis  and  Charles  Dick, 
Godfathers ; and  Mrs.  Mary  Washington  and  Mrs.  Lee,  Godmothers. 
He  m.  five  times, — 1st  (1768)  and  2nd  (1770)  widows  named  Thornton, 
his  cousins  ; 3,  (1773)  a daughter  of  the  eminent  lawyer  Gabriel  and 
Margaret  (Strother)  Jones  ; 4,  (1785)  Mrs.  Armistead,  nee  Fountaine  ; 
5,  Mrs.  Mercer  dau.  of  Landon  Carter.  By  three  of  these  wives  he 
had  families,  and  his  descendants  are  numerous,  especially  in  Ken- 
tucky, where  he  settled. — Col.  Fielding  and  Catharine  (Washington) 
Lewis  had  2.  Frances,  h.  25  Nov.  1748  ; Fielding  Lewis  and  George 


1 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


Washington,  Godfathers  ; Miss  Hannah  Washington  and  Mrs.  Jackson, 
Godmothers.  Without  issue.  3.  Warner,  h.  29  Nov.  1749;  his  uncle 
John  Lewis  and  Capt.  Bagley  Seaton,  Godfathers  ; Mrs.  Mildred  Sea- 
ton, Godmother.  Died  5 Dec.  1749. 

Some  entries  in  the  Lewis  Family  Bible  at  Marmion  were  made 
after  the  adoption  of  New  Style  (1752),  and  this  must  be  borne  in  mind 
to  avoid  confusion.  Thus,  Catharine  Lewis  d.  19  Feb.  1749-50  ; but 
on  7 May  1750,  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  m.  his  second  wife,  Betty  Wash- 
ington. A year  must  be  added  to  that  and  the  birth  dates  of  the  next 
two  children.  Issue  : 1.  Fielding,  h.  14  Feb.  1751 ; George  Washing- 
ton and  Robert  Jackson,  Godfathers  ; Mrs.  Mary  Washington  and  Mrs. 
Frances  Thornton,  Godmothers.  Married  in  Fairfax  settled  in  Fred- 
erick Co.,  Va.  ; his  son  G.  W.  Lewis  mentioned  in  Washington’s  diary 
as  visiting  Mount  Vernon  1787.  2.  Augustin,  h.  22  Jan.  1752 ; his 
uncles  Charles  Lewis  and  Charles  Washington,  Godfathers  ; his  aunt 
Lucy  Lewis,  and  Mrs  Mary  Taliaferro,  Godmothers.  Died  infant.  3. 
Warner,  h.  24  June  1755  ; his  uncle  Charles  Washington  and  Col. 
John  Thornton,  Godfathers ; Mrs.  Mildred  Willis  and  Mrs.  Mary 
Willis,  Godmothers.  Died  infant.  4.  George,  h.  14  March  1757 ; 
Charles  Yates  and  Lewis  Willis,  Godfathers ; IVHs.  Mary  Dick  and  his 
mother.  Godmothers.  He  married  (1779)  Catharine  Daingerfield  of 
Spottsylvania,  was  distinguished  as  a soldier,  and  was  bequeathed  one 
of  Washington’s  swords,  now  in  the  possession  of  his  grandson,  Capt. 
Henry  Howell  Lewis  of  Baltimore.  Mr.  Byrd  Lewis,  an  eminent 
lawyer  of  Washington,  is  his  great-grandson.  5.  Mary,  h.  22  April 
1759;  Samuel  Washington  and  Lawrence  Washington,  Godfathers; 
Mrs.  Washington  and  Miss  Mary  Thornton,  Godmothers.  Died  in- 
fant. 6.  Charles,  h.  3 Oct.  1760  ; Gen.  George  Washington  and  Roger 
Dixon,  Godfathers ; Mrs.  Maiy  Washington  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Dixon, 
Godmothers.  7.  Samuel,  h.  14  May  1763 ; Rev.  Musgrave  Dawson 
and  Judge  Joseph  Jones,  Godfathers  ; Mrs.  Dawson  and  Mrs.  Jones, 
Godmothers.  Died  infant.  8.  Betty,  b.  23  Feb.  1765  ; Rev.  Thomas 
Kice  and  Warner  Washington,  Godfathers  ; Mrs.  Hannah  Washington 
and  Miss  Frances  Lewis,  Godmothers.  Married  Charles  Carter  of 
Culpeper  Co.  9.  Lawrence,  b.  4 April  1767  ; Charles  Washington  and 
Francis  Thornton,  Godfathers ; Mrs.  Mary  Dick,  Godmother.  Mar- 
ried Nelly  Custis.  His  descendants  live  chiefly  at  “ Audley,”  Clark 
Co.,  Va.,  the  Hon.  Edward  P.  C.  Lewis,  late  Minister  to  Portugal, 
being  his  grandson.  10.  Robert,  b.  25  June  1769  ; George  Thornton 
and  Peter  Marye,  Godfathers ; Miss  Mildred  Willis  and  Mrs.  Ann 
Lewis,  Godmothers.  See,  in  this  Volume,  pp.  53,  305.  He  died  in 


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HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  li 

1829,  the  4th  year  of  his  mayoralty  of  Fredericksburg,  during  which 
office  he  welcomed  Lafayette  {Mag.  Am.  Hist.,  Jan.  1888).  11.  How- 

ell, b.  12  Dec.  1771 ; Judges  Joseph  Jones  and  James  Mercer,  God- 
fathers ; Miss  Mary  and  Miss  Milly  Dick,  Godmothers.  See,  in  this 
volume,  pp  10,  293. 

It  is  one  of  the  many  curiosities  of  Washington  portraiture 
that  the  portrait  of  Betty  Lewis  at  “ Marmion  ” (probably  by 
AYoolaston)  should  be  going  about  the  world  as  that  of 
Martha,  General  Washington’s  wife ! There  are  portraits 
representing  Martha  Washington  at  all  ages,  and  it  appears 
inconceivable  that  any  one  could  discover  a resemblance  be- 
tween her  and  the  portrait  published  as  hers  in  Sparks  (i.  p. 
106),  in  the  “ Republican  Court,”  and  even  in  the  centennial 
Century  Magazine^  April,  1889.  How  this  delusion  origi- 
nated one  can  hardly  conjecture.  I have  asked  several  artists 
whether  they  could  imagine  the  Martha  Washington  in  the 
last  volume  of  Sparks  identical  at  any  period  of  her  life  with 
her  so  called  in  the  first,  and  they  have  declared  it  unimagin- 
able. The  accompanying  copy  of  the  misnamed  picture  in 
Sparks  bears  an  inscription  from  the  late  Col.  Lewis  W. 
Washington,  written  in  the  home  and  in  the  presence  of  my 
friend  Frederick  McGuire  of  Washington.  In  1855  Col. 
Lewis  Washington  made  a special  study  of  the  family  por- 
traits, and  his  judgment  as  well  as  his  information  are  trust- 
worthy. He  corresponded  with  many  members  of  the  Wash- 
ington and  Lewis  families  then  living  and  comparatively 
near  to  the  sources  of  information  ; among  others  with  G. 
W.  Parke  Custis,  who  has  been  supposed,  no  doubt  erro- 
neously, to  be  responsible  for  the  mistake  of  Sparks.  In  one 
of  his  letters  (4  Aug.  1855)  Mr.  Custis  says : “ Mrs.  Lewis, 
the  only  sister,  whom  I very  well  remember,  was  the  most 
majestic  and  imposing-looking  female  I ever  beheld,  and  she 
was  very  dearly  beloved  by  the  great  man.  There  is  a good 
portrait  of  her.”  The  portrait  alluded  to  is  certainly  that 
copied  in  this  volume.  The  original  at  Marmion  (the  Lewis 


lii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

homestead  in  King  George),  is  beside  its  companion -picture, 
that  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis.  Fine  copies  of  both  are  in  the 
possession  of  Captain  Williams  of  Kew  York,  a descendant 
of  the  family.  Another  copy  of  Betty  Lewis’s  portrait,  now 
at  Mount  Yernon,  is  probably  that  alluded  to  by  Col.  Lewis 
Washington  as  in  his  possession, — placed  there,  I believe,  by 
his  widow,  Mrs.  Ella  Bassett  Washington,  a vice-Begent  of 
Mount  Yernon. 

In  another  letter  (4  March  1857)  to  Col.  Lewis  Washing- 
ton, Mr.  Custis  tells  the  following  anecdote  : 

“ 'When  in  1781  the  Chief,  accompanied  by  the  Count  de  Eocham- 
beau,  was  en  route  for  New  York,  following  close  upon  the  rear  of  the 
French  army,  he  halted  in  Fredericksburg,  and,  having  consigned  the 
Count  to  the  best  hotel  of  the  village,  the  Commander-in-Chief  hast- 
ened to  the  residence  of  his  sister.  The  lady  had  gone  out  to  visit  a 
neighbor.  Judge  of  her  surprise  when,  on  her  return,  she  sa;w  that 
her  pleasant  mansion  and  the  area  around  it — the  abode  of  peace,  do- 
mestic happiness,  and  liberal  hospitality — had  suddenly  assumed  ‘ the 
pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war.’  She  entered  the  mansion, 
where  her  servants,  struck  dumb  with  amazement,  could  only  point  to 
her  chamber  door.  She  rushed  in,  and  there  discovered  her  beloved 
brother  stretched  upon  her  bed  and  asleep.  She  uttered  a wild  ex- 
clamation of  surprise  and  joy.” 

In  1773  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  was  chosen  a member  of  the 
House  of  Burgesses.  The  defect  in  his  eye  prevented  his 
entering  the  field  in  the  Bevolution.  His  title  “ Colonel  ” 
was  probably  earned  by  his  activity  in  the  manufacture  of 
arms  at  the  “ Gunnery  ” established  by  the  Assembly  in  his 
town,  whose  patriotic  ladies  made  cartridges  while  their 
male  relatives  were  in  the  field.  Col.  Lewis  freely  advanced 
his  means  in  this  work  and  was  never  repaid  except  in  depre- 
ciated paper.  However  he  had  large  lands  in  the  West.  He  died 
in  Jan.  1781,  and  was  buried  in  the  vestibule  of  St.  George’s 
Church,  of  which  he  was  a vestryman.  Washington’s  diaries 
and  letters  show  his  affection  for  this  brother-in-law,  and  con- 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  ]iii 


fidence  in  his  judgment.  The  portrait  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis 
at  Marmion,  a companion  to  that  of  his  wife,  shows  that  his 
veracity  would  not  allow  the  artist  to  omit  the  defective  eye. 
He  was  an  able  man,  and  his  descendants,  known  in  every 
part  of  this  country,  are  generally  persons  of  character  and 
influence. 

For  most  of  the  following  letters  of  Washington  and  the 
Lewises  I am  indebted  to  Luther  Kountze,  Esq.  The  letters 
of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  are  both  to  Washington.  In  the  flrst 
(6  March  1776),  he  says : 

“ Our  nine  Eegements  are  nearly  compleat  and  our  people  seem  to 
be  fond  of  entring  into  the  service.  Col°  [Patrick]  Henry  has  resigned 
his  Commis"  which  I believe  most  people  are  well  pleased  with,  as 
his  acquaintance  in  the  military  seivice  was  little.  Clinton  has  been 
here  with  his  men,  stay’d  a few  Days,  & is  gone  it’s  said  to  S°  Carolina 
& taken  some  of  the  Kings  Ships  that  were  here  with  him.  We  ex- 
pect Lord  Dunmore  is  recalled  as  he  has  offer’d  his  service  and  request 
to  be  sent  home  as  a mediator.  Our  Committee  of  Safety  are  too 
well  acquainted  with  his  Lordships  abilitys  and  friendship  for  this 
Colony  to  intrust  a matter  of  so  much  importance  to  one  of  his  insig- 
nificancy, nor  would  they  were  his  Ability  ever  so  great  take  a step  of 
that  sort  without  the  sanction  of  Congi’ess.  Korfold  is  totally  dis- 
troyed  not  one  House  remaining.  Gosport  Mr.  Sprowls  seat  has 
shared  the  same  fate.  Portsmouth  is  safe ; we  have  men  at  the  great 
Bridge  & Kemps  Landing,  little  for  them  to  do.  The  opinion  for  in- 
dependentcy  seems  to  be  gaining  ground  ; indeed  most  of  those  who 
have  read  the  Pamphlet  Common  Sense  say  it’s  unanswerable.  Our 
Manufactory  has  not  yet  made  one  Musquet ; the  Hands  have  been 
imployed  in  repairing  the  old  Gunns  from  the  Magazine  which  L^ 
Dunmore  took  the  Locks  from,  and  repairing  the  Gunns  belonging  to 
the  several  Companys  that  have  passed  thro’  this  Town.  We  have  a 
great  many  Barrells  ready  forged  which  we  are  now  preparing  for  the 
Stockers  ; our  men  had  the  business  to  learn,  begin  to  be  expert  at 
Lock  making  about  Thirty  of  which  pr  week  we  now  make  that  are 
equal  to  the  English ; and  what  Barrells  are  ready  I think  are  better. 
The  Tory  Factors  are  leaving  of  us  daily,  few  will  remain  in  a month, 
or  two.  Mrs.  Lewis  joins  me  in  our  Love  to  Mrs.  Washington  <fe  the 
Family.  I am  Dear  Sir  your  most  Affectionate  &c. 


liv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

“ In  my  last  I requested  you  would  furnish  George  with  any  Cloths 
&c.  he  may  have  occasion  for  and  yr.  order  should  be  paid  for  the 
amount  on  sight.”  [His  son  Major  Geo.  Lewis  was  in  the  army.] 

In  connection  with  the  following  letter  one  of  Washington 
(owned  by  the  II.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.,  published  in  Mag.  Am.  Hist., 
August  18T9),  Morristown  5 May  1780  will  be  found  interest- 
ing. In  it  he  writes  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  of  a letter  received 
from  Col.  Fairfax,  who  had  heard  his  property  was  confis- 
cated, which  Washington  pronounces,  if  true, ‘‘a  cruel  pro- 
ceeding as  the  uniform  tenor  of  his  conduct  has  been  friendly 
to  the  rights  of  this  country — his  going  to  England  the  result 
of  necessity  and  before  hostilities  either  commenced  or  were 
thought  of,  and  his  return  with  his  family  in  a manner  im- 
practicable.” 

The  letter  of  Col.  F.  Lewis  is  dated  4 April  1780. 

“I  wrote  you  about  eight  Days  since  before  I rec*^  yours  of  the  1st 
& 2d  March  which  came  by  the  Post  last  Fryday.  You  judged  right 
with  regard  to  our  paper  Currency,  as  I find  by  a late  resolution  of 
Congress  that  it’s  reduced  to  one  fortieth  part  of  it’s  nominal  value. 
This  regulation  I suppose  was  necessary,  however  unjust  it  may  appear 
to  the  world  ; after  the  assurances  lately  given  by  Congress  in  their 
publication,  I did  not  expect  so  great  a discont  as  forty  for  one  would 
have  so  soon  taken  place,  altho’  I expected  something  of  the  sort 
must  have  happened  for  the  preservation  of  the  Landed  Interest  which 
never  could  have  paid  the  enormous  debt  we  now  are  involved  in  & 
daily  increasing.  I cannot  say  but  I shall  be  among  the  sufferers  on 
this  occasion,  alltho’  I have  in  some  manner  lessen’d  it  by  the  purchase 
of  Thirty  Thous*^  Acres  Land  to  the  westward  where  my  son  John  now 
is,  in  order  to  locate  and  secure  it  for  me.  I have  some  thoughts  of 
purchasing  Twenty  Thous^  acres  more  before  our  Assembly  meets, 
alltho’  I am  apprehensive  that  Warrants  have  allready  issued  sufficient 
to  secure  allmost  the  whole  of  the  valuable  Lands  in  that  Countiy 
from  Pittsburg  to  the  Green  River.  I suppose  five  million  of  acres 
are  allready  granted  ; never  was  so  fine  a Country  sold  for  so  trifling 
a sum  as  those  Lands  will  bring  into  the  Treasury,  beside  the  great 
injury  this  State  will  sustain  by  the  great  numbers  of  our  most  active 
men  going  those  who  should  have  remained  here  for  the  defence  of 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Iv 


the  State  and  assisted  in  the  present  dispute  with  G.  Britain.  We 
have  a report  here  that  a vessel  is  Just  arrived  from  the  Havanna  the 
Cap‘  of  w ^ reports  that  six  days  before  he  sailed  a Fleet  with  4000 
Soldiers  had  sailed  from  thence  either  for  Pensicola  or  S.  Carolina, 
we  have  no  late  news  from  the  Southward. 

“ I wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  render  any  service  to  Col"  Fairfax  by 
superintending  his  business  ; my  bad  state  of  health  prevents  my  pay- 
ing that  attention  to  my  own  that  it  requires,  therefore  cannot  under- 
take his,  as  it  would  not  be  in  my  power  to  do  him  any  tolerable  Jus- 
tice. I believe  little  has  been  done  for  the  Colonel  since  he  left  the 
State,  and  I am  fearful  that  it  will  be  a difficult  matter  getting  that 
Estate  under  good  management ; from  the  Candor  of  Mr.  Francis 
Whiting  (who  managed  Mr.  Fitzhughs  Est.  at  Eavensworth)  if  he  will 
undertake  the  matter  I think  that  Estate  would  soon  be  brought  under 
better  management ; and  Col"  Fairfax  paying  a generous  price  for 
such  service  will  be  for  his  advantage.  I do  not  know  another  man 
that  I think  will  answer  the  purpose  so  well  if  he  will  undertake  it, 
being  a good  Judge  of  those  matters.  If  I can  be  of  any  service  in 
prevailing  on  Mr.  Whiting  or  any  other  person  that  you,  or  I may 
think  capable  of  serving  Col"  Fairfax  I will  cheerfully  undertake  the 
matter ; at  present  I don’t  know  but  it  may  be  necessary  to  change 
those  who  have  at  present  the  direction  of  that  business,  if  it  can  be 
done  at  this  late  season  for  another  Crop.  Mrs.  Lewis  Joins  me  in 
our  Love  to  you  & Mrs.  Washington  ; she  is  obliged  to  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington for  the  trouble  in  sending  her  muslin  to  Bethlehem.” 

The  next  letter  is  from  Betty  Lewis  to  her  brother,  at  the 
time  when  he  was  recovering  from  a carbuncle.  It  appears 
that  their  mother — who  died  a month  after  this  letter  was 
written — suffered  something  of  the  same  kind.  The  address 
on  the  letter  is:  ‘‘George  Washington.  President  of  the 
United  States.  Kew  York. — Pav’d  by  Mr.  C.  Urquhart.” 

“July  24:  1789. 

“ MyDeae  Brother 

“ We  have  been  extreamly  concern’d  at  hearing  of  your  late  ill- 
ness, but  the  arrival  of  Roberts  last  letter  brought  us  the  agreable 
information  that  the  Doctors  had  Pronounc’d  you  would  shortly  be 
able  to  ride  out. — When  I had  last  the  Pleasure  of  seeing  you  I 


Ivi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

observ’d  your  fondness  for  Honey ; I have  got  a large  Pot  of  very  fine 
in  the  comb,  which  I shall  send  by  the  first  oppertunity. 

“ I am  sorry  to  inform  you  My  Mother’s  Breast  still  continues  bad. 
God  only  knows  how  it  will  end ; I dread  the  Consequence ; she  is 
sensible  of  it  & is  Perfectly  resign’d — wishes  for  nothing  more  than  to 
keep  it  easy. — She  wishes  to  hear  from  you  ; she  will  not  believe  you 
are  well  till  she  has  it  from  under  your  hand. — The  Doctors  think  if 
thay  could  get  some  Hemloc  it  would  be  of  Service  to  her  Breast ; if 
you  Could  Precure  som  there  Mr.  Urquhart  will  bring  it  for  her,  there 
is  none  to  be  got  hear. — Your  Relations  all  join  me  in  love  and  good 
wishes  to  you  and  Sister  Washington  & believe  me  Your  Affe'*'  Sister 

Betty  Lewis.” 

“New  York,  Oct.  12“*  1789 

“ My  Dear  Sister, 

“Your  letter  of  the  first  of  this  month  came  duly  to  hand. — I believe 
Bushrod  is  right  with  respect  to  the  distribution  of  the  negroes — 
When  I gave  my  opinion  that  you  were  entitled  to  a child’s  part  it  did 
not  occur  to  me  that  my  Mother  held  them  under  the  will  of  my 
Father  who  had  made  a distribution  of  them  after  her  death. — If  this 
is  the  case,  and  I believe  it  is,  you  do  not  come  in  for  any  part  of 
them. 

“I  thought  I had  desired  in  my  former  letter  that  all  personal  prop- 
erty not  specifically  disposed  of  by  the  will  had  better  be  sold.  This  is 
my  ojDinion  as  it  is  from  the  Crops  and  personal  Estate  that  the  Debts 
must  be  paid. — The  surplus,  be  it  more  or  less,  is  divided  among  her 
children ; and  this  I presume  had  better  be  done  in  money  than  in 
Stock,  old  furniture  or  any  other  troublesome  articles  which  might  be 
inconvenient  to  remove,  but  in  one  or  the  other  of  these  ways  they 
must  be  disposed  of,  as  they  are  not  given  by  the  Will. — If  there  is 
anything  coming  to  the  estate  it  ought  to  be  collected. — In  a word, 
all  the  property  except  Lands  and  negi’oes  is  considered  as  personal, 
and  after  the  Debts  are  discharged  is  to  be  equally  divided  into  five 
parts  one  of  which  five  you  are  entitled  to. 

“A  sort  of  epidemical  cold  has  seized  every  \illegihle\  under  it — hith- 
erto I have  escaped  and  propose  in  two  or  three  days  to  set  out  for 
Boston  by  way  of  relaxation  from  business  and  re-establishment  of 
my  health  after  the  long  and  tedeous  complaint  with  which  I have 
been  afllicted,  and  from  which  it  is  not  more  than  ten  days  I have  been 
recovered,  that  is  since  the  incision  which  was  made  by  the  Doctors 
for  this  imposthume  on  my  thigh  has  been  cured. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ivii 


“Mrs.  Washington  joins  me  in  every  good  wish  for  you  and  our 
other  relations  in  Fredericksburg.  And  I am 
My  dear  Sister 

Your  most  affectionate  Brother 

G“.  Washington.” 

The  next  letter  has  been  sent  me  by  Capt.  George  Wash- 
ington Ball.  Both  of  the  gentlemen  to  whom  it  was  written 
had  married  nieces  of  Washington  : Col.  Burgess  Ball  m. 
dau.  of  Charles  Washington  ; Charles  Carter,  Jr.,  m.  dau.  of 
Betty  Lewis. 

“ New  Haven  18‘  ^ Oct.  1789 

“ Dear  Sirs  : 

“ Having  set  out  on  a tour  through  the  Eastern  States,  it  was  at  this 
place  your  letter  of  the  8‘  **  inst.  over-took  me. 

“Not  having  my  father’s  will  to  recur  to,  when  I wrote  to  my  sister, 
nor  any  recollection  of  the  Devises  in  it,  I supposed  she  was  entitled 
to  a child’s  part  of  the  negros,  but,  if  they  were  otherwise  disposed  of, 
by  that  Will  (as  I believe  is  the  case)  she  is  certainly  excluded,  and 
the  sons  only  and  their  representatives  come  in. — In  this  manner  the 
division  must  be  made. — 

“ Everything  of  personal  property  not  specifically  disposed  of  by  my 
Mother’s  Will,  had  better  be  sold — with  the  proceeds  of  which,  and 
the  crops,  the  Debts  must  be  paid.  The  surplus,  if  any,  must  be  di- 
vided among  the  heirs. 

“ Being  well  convinced  that  the  Gentlemen  who  were  so  obliging  as 
to  examine  and  set  a value  upon  my  Lots,  acted  from  their  best  judg- 
ment, I am  perfectly  satisfied  with  their  decision,  and  beg  my  thanks 
may  be  presented  to  them  for  the  trouble  they  have  had  in  this  busi- 
ness. 

“If  they  are  not  already  sold,  I am  willing  to  allow  three,  instead  of 
two  years  credit  for  the  payment  of  the  purchase  money.  Interest  be- 
ing paid.  In  a word,  as  I do  not  want  to  tenant  them,  I should  be 
glad  to  sell  them  on  any  reasonable  terms  : as  that  kind  of  property,  at 
a distance,  is  always  troublesome,  and  rarely  productive. 

“I  did  not  mean  to  give  Mr.  Mercer  the  trouble  of  stating  any  formal 
opinion — All  I had  in  view  was  to  know  if  the  formalities  of  the  law,  ^ 
with  respect  to  Inventorying,  appraising  &c.  could  be  dispensed  with. 
— If  it  could,  I was  sure  no  other  difficulty  would  arise,  as  I knew  my 


Iviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


Mother’s  dealings  were  small,  and  the  business  consequently  easily 
closed. 

“lam  exceedingly  sorry  to  hear  of  the  loss  the  Country  has  sus- 
tained from  frost.  The  crops  of  corn  in  this  State  (Connecticut), 
along  the  road  I have  travelled,  ai’e  abundantly  great. 

“I  offer  my  best  thanks  to  you  for  your  kind  services — and  my  best 
wishes  to  my  nieces,  and  your  families, — and,  with  sincere  esteem  and 
regard, 

I am  your  most  obed‘  and  affect‘®  servt. 

G : Washington.” 

Although  it  was  necessary  that  Washington,  as  his  moth- 
er’s executor,  should  recognize  the  fact  that  his  sister  had 
been  somewhat  left  in  the  cold  by  their  parents’  Wills,  he 
gave  her  the  only  assistance  she  needed — namely,  a helping 
hand  to  her  sons.  To  Mr.  Howell  L.  Lovell,  Covington, 
Ky.,  a great-grandson  of  Betty  Lewis,  I am  indebted  for  the 
following  letter  to  her  youngest  son, — Howell,  then  just 
entered  on  his  twenty-first  year  : 

“ Philadelphia  April  1792. 

“My  Dear  Sister, 

“ If  your  son  Howell  is  living  with  you,  and  not  usefully  employed  in 
your  own  affairs ; — and  should  incline  to  spend  a few  months  with  me, 
as  a writer  in  my  office  (if  he  is  fit  for  it)  I will  allow  him  at  the  rate 
of  Three  hundred  dollar’s  a year,  provided  he  is  diligent  in  discharg- 
ing the  duties  of  it  from  breakfast  until  dinner — Sundays  excepted. — 
This  sum  will  be  punctually  paid  him  and  I am  particular  in  declar- 
ing beforehand  what  I require,  and  what  he  may  expect,  that  there 
may  be  no  disappointment,  or  false  expectations  on  either  side. — He 
will  live  in  the  family  in  the  same  manner  his  brother  Robert  did. — If 
the  offer  is  acceptable  he  must  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  come  on 
immediately  upon  my  giving  him  notice. — I take  it  for  granted  that 
he  writes  a fair  and  legible  hand,  otherwise  he  would  not  answer  my 
purpose  ; as  it  is  for  recording  letters,  and  other  papers  I want  him. — 
That  I may  be  enabled  to  judge  of  his  fitness  let  him  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  this  letter  with  his  own  hand,  and  say  whether  he  will  ac- 
cept the  offer  here  made  him,  or  not. — If  he  does,  and  I find  him 
qualified  from  the  specimen  he  gives  in  his  letter  I will  immediately 
desire  him  to  come  on  which  he  must  do  without  a moments  delay, 
or  I shall  be  obliged  to  provide  another  instead  of  him. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  lix 


“ M"®  Washington  unites  with  me  in  best  wishes,  and  love  for  you 
and  yours  and 

I am — My  dear  Sister 

Your  most  affecte  Brother 

G®  Washington.” 

“ 21st  November,  1798 

“ I believe  you  have  been  informed  of  my  wish  to  have  some  appoint- 
ment in  the  army — young  in  the  art  of  war,  my  views  are  by  no  means 
ambitions  ; to  you  I submit  it,  to  place  me  in  any  situation,  that  in 
your  judgment  shall  be  best.  Should  I be  fortunate  enough  to  obtain 
an  appointment ; I can  affirm  a full  determination  of  doing  my  duty, 
for  by  so  doing  only,  can  a Officer  expect  to  gain  respect.  My  health 
is  much  as  it  was  when  you  left  us,  every  now  and  then  having  a re- 
turn of  the  ague  which  prevents  my  gaining  flesh  or  strength  tho  I 
am  happy  to  inform  you  I am  nearly  restored  to  the  perfect  use  of 
my  eye. 

“The  family  joins  me  in  best  wishes  for  your  health,  and  safe  returne. 

I am  dear  Uncle  your  affectionate  nephew 

Lawrence  Lewis.” 

The  next  letter  of  Lawrence  to  Washington  is  dated  10 
Jan.  1799  at  Charlestown, — which  was  founded  by  Charles 
Washington. 

“ I have  this  day  been  to  see  my  Uncle  Charles  and  family  ; was 
hajrpy  to  find  his  health  much  better  than  it  had  been  represented  to 
me  on  the  Rode  up,  he  has  been  very  unwell  ever  since  the  Winter 
commenced,  but  at  present  is  as  well  as  his  mode  of  living  will  ad- 
mit. My  Aunt  is  in  good  health  ; and  with  my  Uncle  desires  to  be 
remembered  to  you  and  my  Aunt. 

“ As  I now  flatter  myself,  no  objection  as  to  the  state  of  health  can  be 
made  to  my  union  with  Miss  Eleanor  on  the  22nd  of  Feb'^  y (the  day 
first  fixt  on  by  us)  that  my  dear  uncle’s  concurrence  will  not  be  want- 
ing as  to  the  time  proposed  and  that  he  will  excuse  my  appearance 
one  week  sooner  at  Mount  Vernon,  than  the  time  which  was  thought 
necessary  for  my  journey.” 

Lawrence’s  desire  to  be  married  on  the  General’s  birthday 
was  fulfilled. 


lx  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


The  next  letter  was  written  to  Robert  Lewis  while  he  was 
at  Mount  Vernon,  date  Philadelphia  7 March  1793. 

“I  would  not  have  you  seek  (at  least  apparently)  Major  Harrison  ; 
but  if  you  should,  or  could  conveniently  fall  in  with  him  soon,  and 
without  forcing  the  conversation,  talk  to  him  again  on  the  subject  of 
his  land  adjoining  me,  and  extract  anything  farther  from  him  on  the 
subject  thereof  that  might  be  useful  to  me,  I should  be  glad  to  know 
it.  The  enclosed  letter  to  Mr.  (?)  from  Mr.  Chichester,  the  only  per- 
son (except  Thomson  Mason,  his  son  in  law,  who  also  has  poor  ten- 
anted land  adjoining  Harrisons)  that  can  in  my  opinion  step  forward 
as  a competitor,  shows  his  ideas  of  the  value  of  it ; — but  altho’  this  may 
be  the  intrinsic  worth,  yet,  circumstances  considered,  I would  give 
more  for  it,  if  it  is  unincumbered  with  leases,  than  the  sum  therein 
ment*^  or  would  give  by  way  of  Exchange  lands  in  Kentucky  for  it. 

“I  expect  to  be  at  home  before  the  of  April — and  shall  probably 
take  Fairfax  Court  (which  I think  is  on  the  of  that  month)  on  my 
way  back  to  this  city — between  these  dates  if  Mr.  Hamson  would  call 
upon  me  at  Mount  Vernon  with  his  Papers  the  bargain  if  made  at 
all  might  be  concluded.  I cannot,  as  I expect  to  take  the  meeting  of 
the  Commas  of  the  Federal  District  at  George  Town  (about  the  first 
of  Apr*)  will  be  at  home  before  the  5*^  nor  will  public  business 
allow  me  to  stay  there  longer  than  the  ; The  last  being  necessary 
on  acc*  of  the  Will  of  my  dec^  Nephew  Major  Washington  which  I 
expect  will  be  proved  at  that  time.  I shall  come  home  alone,  for 
these  purposes  and  to  look  into  some  matters  of  my  own  which  re- 
quire attention.” 

After  leaving  Mount  Vernon  Robert  Lewis  resided  in  Fau- 
quier, and  was  Washington’s  financial  agent  and  collector. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  Washington’s  letters 
to  him  : 

“ Mount  Vernon  OcP  1795 

“ As  land  has  risen  so  much,  and  so  suddenly  in  its  price,  and  my 
rents  bear  no  proportion  thereto ; I shall  insist,  and  beg  that  you  will 
see,  not  only  that  the  rents  are  punctually  paid,  but  that  all  the  cove- 
nants in  the  leases,  with  respect  to  buildings,  planting  orchards,  mak- 
ing meadows,  reserving  certain  proportions  of  the  land  in  wood  &c. 
&c.  are  strictly  complied  with — and  I further  desire  that  in  cases  of 
life  leases,  where  the  occupant  can  give  you  no  satisfactory  evidence 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixi 

of  the  existence  of  the  lives  of  the  persons  therein  named,  that  ejectm‘ 
may  be  brought  in  order  to  make  them  come  forward  with  their  proofs  ; 
— for  these  leases  will  never  expire  if  vague  information  is  received  & 
credited,  of  the  lessees  being  in  Kentucky,  or  the  lord  knows  where. 
— Another  thing  too  I would  have  minutely  looked  into,  and  that  is, 
where  there  has  been  a change  in  the  occupants  from  the  original 
Lessees  to  know  by  what  authority  it  has  happened ; for  if  I recollect 
the  terms  of  my  Leases  there  can  be  no  alienation  of  the  property 
without  the  consent  of  the  landlord  under  his  hand  (and  I believe) 
seal.” 

When  her  youngest  son  Howell,  against  her  wishes,  insisted 
on  going  to  the  Kanawha,  Betty  Lewis  gave  him  a box  on  the 
ear  with  her  right  hand  and  a well-filled  purse  with  the  other. 
She  was  alone  at  63,  and  went  to  reside  with  her  daughter 
Betty  (Mrs.  Charles  Carter)  at  “Western  View,”  Culpeper. 
“ I am  persuaded,”  Washington  wrote  her  (7  April  1796) 
you  will  enjoy  more  ease  and  quiet,  and  meet  with  fewer 
vexations  where  you  are  now  than  where  you  did  live.  It  is 
my  sincere  desire  that  you  should  do  so  and  that  your  days 
should  be  happy.  In  this  Mrs.  Washington  joins.”  I am 
informed  by  Capt.  H.  Howell  Lewis  of  Baltimore,  her  great- 
grandson,  that  Betty  Lewis,  while  superintending  some  work 
on  a mill,  one  stormy  day,  contracted  a cold,  and  died  31 
March  1797.  Her  grave  is  at  Western  Yiew.  Her  daughter 
Carter  died  in  1829  at  “ Audley,”  residence  of  her  brother 
Lawrence  Lewis. 

The  Old  Virginia  gentleman  was  driven  by  a hunger  for 
land  difficult  of  modern  comprehension.  It  was  a time  in 
which  estates  voted,  rather  than  men.  Washington  was 
brought  up  under  the  infiuences  that  stimulated  the  passion 
for  land.  The  marriage  of  his  half-brother,  Lawrence,  with 
a Fairfax  brought  him  in  contact  with  the  grand  estate  of 
the  landed  proprietary  of  the  Northern  Neck.  While  sur- 
veyor of  Lord  Fairfax  he  made  acquaintance  of  the  finest 
lands,  many  of  which  he  ultimately  owned. 

Lawrence,  son  of  Capt.  Augustine  Washington,  married  in 


Ixii  HISTORICAL  AXD  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


the  year  of  his  father’s  death.  He  (Lawrence)  d.  1752  leav- 
ing a wife  and  child  {dau\  the  latter  dying  soon  after.  In 
accordance  with  Capt.  Augustine's  Will  the  estate  thus  passed 
to  George,  but  the  widow  of  Lawrence,  who  presently  m. 
Geo.  Lee,  Clerk  of  Westmoreland,  had  a life-interest  in  it. 
She  ^.1761.  In  Liber  C,  p.  822,  of  the  Land  Kecord  Books 
of  Fairfax  Co.,  Ya.,  is  recorded  a Deed  dated  17  Dec.  1754 
between  Geo.  Lee  and  Ann  his  wife,  and  Geo.  Washinofton 
of  King  George  County. 

“We  parties  of  the  first  part  grant  to  the  party  of  the  second  part 
the  life  interest  of  Ann  Lee,  widow  of  Lawi-ence  Washington,  in  two 
parcels  of  land,  one  situate  on  Little  Hunting  Ci*eek,  the  other  on 
Dogue  Creek  in  Fairfax,  of  which  Lawrence  Washington  died  seized, 
also  one  Water  Grist  Mill,  also  certain  Slaves — in  consideration  that 
Geo  Washington  during  the  natural  life  of  Ann  Lee,  do  each  year  pay 
to  her  husband.  Geo  Lee — on  the  25th  December  the  sum  or  quan- 
tity of  fifteen  thousand  pounds  of  tobacco  in  fifteen  hogsheads,  to  be 
delivered  at  one  or  some  of  the  Warehouses  in  the  Co  of  Fairfax,  or 
as  much  current  money  of  Virginia  in  lieu  thereoff  as  will  be  equal 
thereto  at  twelve  (12)  shillings  k six  pence  current  money,  for  every 
hundred  weight  of  tobacco.  At  the  election  of  the  said  Geo.  Wash- 
ington, his  heirs  or  assigns  (the  first  rent  to  grow  due  25  Dec.)  ” 
Then  follows  a provision  for  reduction  in  case  any  of  the  negroes  die. 

This  drain  of  nearly  a hundred  pounds,  during  the  first 
seven  years  of  his  occupancy,  helped  to  keep  Washington’s 
purse  low,  notwithstanding  the  fortune  brought  him  by  the 
widow  Custis  in  1759.  This  has  been  estimated  at  8100,000, 
and  was  certainly  large,  yet  Washington  writes  (1763)  that  his 
expenses  had  swallowed  up  “all  the  money  I got  by  marriage, 
nay  more,  brought  me  in  debt,  and  I believe  I may  appeal  to 
your  own  knowledge  of  my  circumstances  before.” 

This  letter  (printed  in  Ford’s  “ Writings  of  Washington”) 
is  written  to  Robert  Stewart  to  explain  his  inability  to  raise 
£400.  In  the  Nation  (19  Sep.  1889)  Mr.  Ford  shows  that 
in  1760  Washington  paid  quit-rents  on  6,431  acres  in  the 
Northern  Keck,  and  in  1769  on  12,260.  But  at  this  time 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixiii 

Washington  himself  could  hardly  have  told  what  his  Western 
lands  amounted  to.  At  his  death  he  possessed  41,523  acres, 
6 lots  in  Washington  City,  and  others  in  Alexandria,  Win- 
chester, and  the  Berkeley  Springs,  His  lands  lay  in  Virginia, 
Kentucky,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and  Kew  York; 
these  with  his  town  lots,  are  estimated  in  his  will  at  $489,135. 
Washington’s  supposed  wealth,  and  his  reputation  for  sagacity 
as  a purchaser,  became  inconvenient.  He  had  only  to  inquire 
the  price  of  a piece  of  land  to  enhance  its  price.  He  was 
driven  to  stratagems.  Upon  the  whole,”  he  writes  to  his 
brother  Charles,  ‘‘  as  you  are  situated  in  a good  place  for  see- 
ing many  of  the  Officers  at  different  times  I should  be  glad  if 
you  would  (in  a joking  way  rather  that  in  earnest,  at  first)  see 
what  value  they  set  on  their  lands.”  These  lands  were  those 
donated  by  Gov.  Dinwiddle  to  officers  who  had  served  against 
the  French  and  Indians, — 200,000  acres.  Washington’s  por- 
tion was  15,000  acres,  on  the  Kanawha,  and  he  purchased  as 
much  more  from  fellow-claimants.  The  claims  were,  indeed, 
of  doubtful  value,  and  even  their  validity  was  in  suspense 
when  the  revolution  broke  out.  For  some  years  before  the 
trouble  began,  Washington  was  anxious  to  sell  some  of  his 
lands.  In  1773,  when  the  scheme  for  a tr an s- Allegheny  em- 
pire was  afloat,  he  advertised  for  sale  20,000  acres  on  the 
Ohio  and  the  Kanawha,  recommending  them  on  account  of 
“ their  contiguity  to  the  seat  of  government  which,  it  is  more 
than  probable,  will  be  fixed  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Ka- 
nawha.” 

It  was  at  a later  period  that  Washington  came  into  posses- 
sion of  his  5,000  acres  in  Green  County,  Kentucky.  Writing 
in  1795,  he  speaks  of  the  deeds  having  issued  several  years 
ago.”  Both  there  and  on  the  Kanawha  his  claims  were  some- 
times disputed  and  involved  lawsuits, — one  of  these  being 
with  Col.  Cresap,  whose  family  always  maintained  that  the 
famous  speech  of  the  Indian  chief  Logan,  charging  Cresap 
with  the  massacre  of  his  family,  was  invented  to  prejudice 


Ixiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


the  case.  To  his  nephew  and  agent  in  that  region,  Major 
George  Lewis,  he  writes  (27  July  1795)  concerning  a rumor 
that  somebody  had  sold  a piece  of  his  land  : 

“Mine  I shall  relinquish  but  for  the  full  value  of  the  land  ; and  if 
that  value  would  be  increased  by  the  purchase  of  the  300  acres  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Wodron  I hereby  authorise  you  to  make  purchase 
upon  the  best  terms  you  can.” 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  Washington,  conjointly  with 
his  friend  Andrew  Lewis,  owned  the  first  natural  gas  issue 
discovered. 

“ It  is,”  Mr.  Hale  (Charleston,  W.  Va.)  writes  me,  “on  the  line  of  a 
geological  anticlinal  axis,  which  crosses  the  river  (Kanawha)  and  the 
valley  at  that  point.  All  along  the  break  in  the  strata,  on  this  anticli- 
nal, the  gas  issued  in  larger  or  smaller  quantities  through  the  soil  in 
the  bottoms,  and  up  through  the  river,  and  in  Burning  Spring  Creek. 
It  could  be  set  afire  and  burn  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  Burn- 
ing Spring  was  the  largest  of  any  single  issue  of  gas.” 

Washington  and  Andrew  Lewis  bought  the  tract  (250 
acres)  on  account  of  this  curiosity.  Traditions  of  his  early 
visit  to  that  region  are  still  vivid  there, — where  indeed  a num- 
ber of  his  near  relatives  settled  and  have  left  descendants. 

There  is  at  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Ya.,  a White  Elm,  of 
21  ft.  6 in.  circumference, — the  survivor  of  two  said  to  have 
been  planted  by  Washington.  Mr.  E.  B.  Pendleton  of  that 
place  writes  me : 

“The  Berkeley  Springs  were  granted  by  Lord  Fairfax  to  Virginia 
about  1765,  and  some  ten  years  later  a town  was  laid  out.  A number 
of  persons  of  note,  among  them  Washington,  purchased  lots  and  built 
upon  them.  My  own  house  is  built  upon  the  exact  spot  on  which 
stood  the  house  of  Charles  Carroll,  and  the  Washington  lot  is  imme- 
diately across  the  street, — within  my  recollection  a portion  of  the 
chimney  was  standing.  Washington  visited  the  Springs  many  sum- 
mers, coming  in  a coach-and-four,  and  with  his  servants.  My  two 
grandfathers,  one  of  whom  was  an  original  trustee  named  in  the  Act 
of  Assembly  as  to  the  Springs,  also  my  father,  visited  the  Springs 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixv 


annually.  They  knew  Washington  in  daily  life.  I am  now  seventy, 
and  from  infancy  was  brought  every  year  to  the  Springs — so  I am  not 
so  very  far  from  the  shadows  of  those  days.” 

At  a later  period  of  life  Washington’s  early  visions  of 
Westward  empire  abated  somewhat,  and  he  was  only  willing 
to  purchase  land  near  Mount  Yernon.  This  estate  of  2,500 
acres  grew  under  him  to  10,000  acres,  with  a river  front  of 
10  miles. 

The  saying  that  Washington  was  denied  children  that  the 
nation  might  call  him  Father  has  far-reaching  significance. 
From  the  hour  in  which  he  took  command  of  the  Colonial 
armies  at  Cambridge  a paternal  sentiment  towards  his  soldiers 
is  discoverable,  and  to  his  ofilcers,  as  if  all  belonged  to  the 
circle  of  his  Aids  which  he  called  “My  Family.”  But  for 
the  personal  sympathy  with  his  soldiers  in  their  grievances, 
while  he  repressed  their  rebellions,  the  revolution  might  have 
recoiled  on  itself.  He  thanks  Col.  Return  Jonathan  Meio-s 

O 

(26  May  1780)  for  suppressing  a meeting  of  soldiers,  but 
adds : 

“Meeting,  as  you  very  properly  observe,  cannot  in  any  case  be 
Justified,  but  still,  if  the  Commissaries,  by  a partiality  of  issues,  have 
in  any  degree  given  ground  of  complaint,  they  shall  be  called  to  an 
account,  and  made  to  answer  for  it.” 

Another  letter  loaned  me  by  John  Meigs  Esq.  was  in  reply 
to  a request  from  Col.  Meigs  for  leave  of  absence,  which 
was  for  the  purpose  of  marriage,  though  that  was  not  stated 
in  the  request.  It  is  dated  at  Peek’s  Kill,  1 Aug.  1780. 

“ I have  received  Your  letter  of  this  date  and  am  exceedingly  sorry 
that  any  events  should  occur  to  require  you  to  be  absent  from  the 
Army.  I am  convinced  that  those  on  which  you  have  founded  your 
request  are  of  a delicate  and  interesting  nature,  or  that  you  would 
not  have  made  it.  In  this  view  I cannot  but  consent  to  your  going 
home,  and  I will  not  undertake  to  limit  the  day  of  your  return.  I am 
persuaded  it  will  be  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  admit  and  I have 


Ixvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


only  to  add  my  -wishes,  that  you  my  find  that  to  be  such,  as  to  justify 
it  immediately.” 

l^othing  can  exceed  the  delicacy  of  these  notes,  and  the 
personal  sentiment  playing  between  the  sentences.  Long  after 
the  revolution  was  over  Washington  cherished  the  intimate 
relations  established  with  his  comrades,  consulting  them  in 
domestic  matters,  and  manifesting  personal  gratitude  to  them. 
Among  these  was  Col.  Tench  Tilghman,  several  of  Washing- 
ton’s letters  to  whom  are  in  the  memoir  of  that  officer  (Al- 
bany; J.  Munsell.  1876).  A letter  of  Washington  to  his 
brother,  Jno.  Augustine,  loaned  me  by  Walter  R.  Benjamin 
of  I^ew  York,  touches  his  friendship  wdth  Col.  Tilghman,  and 
other  matters  and  persons  mentioned  in  this  volume.  It  is 
from  Mount  Yernon  30  June  ITSJ,  and  relates  to  his  brother’s 
wish  to  have  his  son  Corbin  enter  on  mercantile  life. 

“ On  Sunday  last  I received  an  answer  from  Mr.  Morris  to  the  letter 
I wrote  him  whilst  you  were  here.  Enclosed  is  an  extract  of  it  with 
a copy  of  the  letter  referred  to.  [Damaged.]  Whether  New  York  would 
be  equally  agreeable  to  you  as  Philadelphia — and  whether  the  terms 
of  Mr.  Constable  are  usual  and  pleasing,  is  with  you  to  determine, — 
and  the  sooner  you  can  do  this  the  better.  Had  Mr.  Morris  carried 
on  business  in  the  manner  I expected,  and  as  he  formerly  did,  the  ad- 
vantage of  entering  your  son  with  him  most  undoubtedly  would  have 
been  great,  because  his  mercantile  knowledge  and  connections  really 
exceed  that  of  any  other  person’s  upon  this  Continent.  . . . There 
is  a Gentleman  there,  [in  Maryland]  also  connected  with  Mr.  Moms  in 
Trade,  at  Baltimore,  who  I know  to  be  as  worthy  a man  in  every  point 
of  view  as  any  that  lives  ; but  whether  he  is  moving  upon  a large  scale 
or  a small  one — whether  he  has  an  opening  that  would  admit  a youth 
— and  uj)on  what  terms,  I am  ignorant. — The  Gentleman  I mean  is 
Lieut.  Col° . Tilghman  who  was  in  my  family  as  an  Aid  de  Camp  and 
Secretary  the  whole  War  ; and  in  the  mercantile  line  many  years  be- 
fore it. — If  he  can  oblige  me,  with  any  kind  of  convenience  to  himself, 
I am  sure  he  would  ; and  if  you  approve  it,  and  I should  upon  enquiry, 
find  he  is  not  in  a piddling  way  (which  can  scarcely  be  presumed  from 
his  connection  with  Mr.  Morris)  I would  write  to  him  on  the  subject 
and  shall  be  sure  of  a candid  decision. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixvii 


“My  family,  at  present,  are  all  well  bnt  our  intermittent  months 
are  not  yet  arrived. — I have  come  to  a determination  if  not  prevented 
bv  unforeseen  events  to  make  a visit  to  my  Lands  on  the  western 
waters  this  Fall,  and  for  that  pui-pose  shall  leave  home  the  first  of 
September. — Many  are  hinting  their  wishes  and  others  making  direct 
applications  to  be  of  the  party,  but  as  I neither  [a  clause  illegible] 
others  to  follow  me  in  these  pursuits — nor  satisfaction  to  myself  to  be 
in  company  with  those  who  would  soon  get  tired  and  embarrass  my 
movements,  besides  rendering  them  inconvenient. — Thus  much  in 
general — but  if  Bushrod’s  health  will  permit,  and  it  does  not  interfere 
with  his  studies,  or  plan  of  settlement  for  the  practice  of  the  Law,  I 
would  take  him  with  me  with  pleasure — Only  Dr.  Craik  besides,  will 
go  with  me. — He  would  require  only  a Servant  and  a Blanket  or  two 
—everything  else  I shall  provide  unless  he  should  chuse  to  cany  a Gun 
for  his  amusement  as  he  would  more  than  probably  see  abundance  of 
Game.” 

The  lands  to  which  Bushrod  accompanied  his  uncle — Dr. 
Craik  and  his  son  William  being  also  of  the  party — were 
those  on  the  Kanawha  and  Ohio.  The  journey  is  vividly  de- 
scribed in  Washington’s  Diary.  He  parted  from  his  company 
several  times,  and  several  times  lost  his  way.  The  following 
entries  will  be  found  interesting : 

1784.  Oct.  2.  I set  of  very  early  from  Mr.  Lewis’s  who  accompanied 
me  to  the  foot  of  the  blew^  ridge  at  Swift  run  gap,  10  miles,  where  I 
bated  and  proceeded  over  the  mountain — dined  at  a pitiful  house  14 
miles  farther  where  the  roads  to  Fredericksburg  (by  Orange  C‘ 
House)  and  that  to  Culpeper  Court  House  fork. — took  the  latter, 
tho  in  my  Judgment  Culpeper  Court  House  was  too  much  upon  my 
right  for  a direct  course. — Lodged  at  a widow  Yearly’®  12  miles  fur- 
ther where  I was  hospitably  entertained.  3d.  Left  Quarters  before 
day  and  breakfasted  at  Culpeper  Court  house  which  was  estimated  21 
miles,  but  by  bad  direction  I must  have  travelled  25,  at  least.  Crossed 
Normans  ford  10  miles  from  the  Court  H®  and  lodged  at  Capt"  Ashby’s. 
4th.  Having  Capt“  Ashby  for  a guide  thro’  the  intricate  part  of  the 
Road  (which  ought  tho’  I missed  it  to  have  been  by  Prince  William 
Old  Court  H.)  I arrived  at  Colchester,  30  miles,  to  Dinner,  and  reached 
home  before  sundown  ; having  travelled  on  the  same  horses  since  the 
first  day  of  September  by  the  computed  distances  680  miles. 


Ixviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

“ The  widow  Yearly  ” spoken  of  in  this  Diary  is  probably 
of  the  same  family  with  Gen.  Early.  Concerning  this  dis- 
mal journey  of  Washington  the  story  is  told  that  he  was  com- 
pelled by  the  rain  and  darkness  to  ask  shelter  of  the  first 
liouse  he  reached.  Its  owner  said  they  had  no  room,  “ but,” 
he  added,  “you  will  find  a doggery  two  miles  farther.” 
But  just  after  the  General  had  started  on,  the  inhospitable 
forester  caught  sight  of  the  servant.  “ What’s  your  master’s 
name  ? ” he  asked.  “ General  Washington.”  “ Good  God  ! ” 
cried  the  man,  and  bounding  after  Washington  he  entreated 
him  to  return.  “ You  shall  have  my  own  room,”  he  urged. 
“ I’d  rather  go  on  to  the  doggery,”  was  the  reply.  But  he 
concluded  to  try  an  alternative  of  the  doggery,  and  some 
miles  farther  knocked  at  a cottage.  A maiden  answered  that 
their  home  was  small,  but  she  and  her  mother  would  do 
what  they  could.  The  travellers  were  made  comfortable, 
AV'ashington  made  himself  entertaining,  but  not  until  morn- 
ing did  he  reveal  his  name.  He  then  gave  the  young  lady  a 
gold  guinea.  Miss  Early  married  in  the  West,  where  she 
was  murdered  for  her  ear-rings,  which  were  made  of  Wash- 
ington’s guinea. 

The  love  of  Washington  for  Mount  Yernon  recalls  ro- 
mances of  Charlemagne’s  attachment  to  his  home  at  Aix-la- 
Chapelle,  which  was  explained  by  the  talisman  given  his 
Queen  to  attract  his  love,  and  after  her  death  lost  in  his  park. 
The  fervor  of  a disappointed  love  seems  to  have  transferred 
itself  to  this  home  of  his  childhood.  On  6 Jan.  1759  he 
married  the  widow  of  Daniel  Parke  Custis,  and  daughter  of 
John  Dandridge.  In  reply  to  an  invitation  from  Bichard 
Washington  to  visit  England  he  replies  (20  Sept.  1759) : “ I 
am  now  I believe  fixd  at  this  seat  with  an  agreable  Consort 
for  Life.  And  hope  to  find  more  happiness  in  retirement 
than  I ever  experienced  amidst  a wide  bustling  world.”  He 
entered  with  ardor  into  agriculture ; he  invented  a new 
plough  ; he  rode  about  his  woods  with  a hatchet,  not  to  cut 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixix 


down  trees  but  to  mark  such  as  appeared  graceful  enough  to 
be  planted  near  Mount  Yernon  mansion.  His  diary  of  1760 
is  charming:  Mrs.  Washington  with  the  measles,  doctored  by 
the  Eev.  Charles  Green  (the  same  that  Augustine  had  nomi- 
nated rector  of  Truro  in  1737);  the  disorderly  oystermen ; 
his  carpenter,  “ Richd.  Stephens  ” found  actually  at  work — 
‘‘  very  extraordinary  this ! ” the  Bread  and  Butter  ball  at 
Alexandria  ” ; the  young  woman  whose  name  was  unknown 
to  any  body  in  this  family  ” dining  there  ; his  pretty  regu- 
lar attendances  at  church,  but  never  any  remark  on  the  ser- 
mons ; “ my  Young  peach  trees  were  wed  according  to 
order  ” ; — every  sentence  is  alive  ! 

When  he  is  dragged  away  by  war  from  his  beloved  home 
his  heart  still  roams  there.  He  still  hopes  to  drive  about  the 
old  roads,  and  in  a good  American  chariot, — the  gilded  Eng- 
lish one  of  1768  having  proved  an  imposition, — and  to  have 
his  paper  money  all  turned  to  gold.  So  he,  and  his  wife 
dream  in  the  dark  days  at  Morristown,  whence  (15  April 
1780)  he  writes  to  his  dear  Lund : 

“ I have  ordered  a chariot  to  be  made  in  Phil‘. — The  price  £210  in 
specie,  or  Paper  equivalent — have  you  any  ways  or  means  of  coming 
at  the  former  by  your  traffic  with  Mr.  Hooe  or  other  ? The  difierence 
between  specie  and  PaperTn  Phil*  some  little  time  ago  was  60  or  70 — 
I have  heard  it  is  now  50,  but  if  you  could  engage  the  first,  that  is 
specie,  by  your  produce  I should  think  it  much  more  eligible  than  to 
do  it  with  Paper — not  only  because  the  latter  is  so  fluctuating  but 
because  it  must  (in  the  nature  of  things)  grow  better  if  it  continues 
to  pass.  . . . Things  in  this  quarter  are  nearly  in  the  situation  as 

when  I last  wrote.  Mrs.  Washington  joins  me  in  best  wishes  to  you 
and  yrs.” 

The  “ Old  Brick  Barn”  at  Mount  Yernon  is  traditionally, 
and  no  doubt  truly,  of  an  antiquity  beyond  150  years.  It 
may  even  have  been  built  by  the  General’s  grandfather. 
Where  his  father  dwelt  it  is  difficult  now  to  conjecture,  as  the 
General  would  allow  no  dilapidated  buildings  to  remain.  An 


Ixx  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


old  house  stood  where  Washington  built  his  greenhouse  in 
which  possibly  the  four  years  of  his  childhood  there  were 
passed.  The  central  part  of  the  mansion  was  built  by  Law- 
rence, his  half-brother  (1743-4)  for  his  bride,  Anne  Fairfax. 
In  1784  the  General  began  his  reconstructions, — in  the  inter- 
est of  beauty  mainly.  His  respect  for  solid  things  sometimes 
checked  his  aesthetic  sentiment,  as  is  shown  in  a letter  (sent 
me  by  Prof.  Maupin),  dated  15  Jan.  1784,  to  Bushrod  Wash- 
ington. 

“When  I came  to  examine  the  Chimney  pieces  in  this  House,  I 
found  them  so  interwoven  with  the  other  parts  of  the  Work,  and  so 
good  of  their  kind,  as  to  induce  me  to  lay  aside  all  thoughts  of  taking 
any  of  them  down — for  the  only  room  which  remains  unfinished  I am 
not  yet  fixed  in  my  own  mind,  but  believe  I shall  place  a marble  one 
there. — at  any  rate  I shall  suspend  the  i^urchase  of  any  of  those  men- 
tioned in  your  letter,  and  would  not  wish  Mr.  Roberts  to  hold  either 
of  them  in  expectation  of  it.” 

Mrs.  Broad  well,  Yice-Kegent  of  Mount  Yernon  for  Ohio, 
has  had  copied  for  me  a neat  drawing  made  by  Washington 
of  the  piazza  floor,  with  indication  of  the  tiles  needing  repair. 
He  was  pained  by  any  article  that  was  not  beautiful.  When 
entertaining  at  Princeton  the  president  of  Congress  and  other 
eminent  guests  in  his  marquee,  after  the* tidings  of  peace, 
the  wine  was  served  in  cups.  Some  one  remarked  that  the 
maker  of  the  cups  had  turned  Quaker  preacher:  Washington 
regretted  that  he  had  not  turned  Quaker  preacher  before  he 
made  the  cups.  From  sheer  taste  Washington  took  under 
his  own  charge  the  costuming  of  the  family,  the  china,  the 
furniture.  A letter  to  Gen.  Bobert  Ridgway  (in  the  Wo- 
burn Mass.  Library),  written  from  Princeton  12  Sep.  1783, 
just  after  using  the  ugly  cups,  goes  minutely  into  particular 
kinds  of  wine  glasses.  Anger  glasses,  decanters,  butter-boats, 
tureens,  and  other  wares  desired  for  Mount  Yernon. 

But  Washington  loved  to  have  these  small  objects  around 
liiin  signiflcant  in  a high  sense.  I remarked  on  the  cuff-but- 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxi 

tons  engraved  for  his  inauguration  only  twelve  stars.  Prob- 
ably when  they  were  ordered  he  supposed  that  only  Khode 
Island,  and  not  North  Carolina  also,  would  be  out  of  the  con- 
stitutional galaxy.  Mr.  Dreer  showed  me  a note  to  Col. 
Tench  Tilghman,  Baltimore,  desiring  him  to  meet  an  in- 
coming ship  (from  China)  and  buy  for  him  dishes,  bowls, 
muslin,  handkerchiefs,  to  each  of  which  is  added  an  asterisk, 
and  the  words,  ‘‘  With  the  badge  of  the  Society  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati— if  to  be  had.”  A good  many  small  objects  were 
presents,  of  course,  such  as  the  button  with  ‘‘  G.  W.”  at  the 
centre  of  thirteen  rings,  and  the  motto  Long  live  the  Presi- 
dent ! ” preserved,  with  his  draped  funeral  candles,  in  the 
Masonic  Temple,  Alexandria.  Washington  sought  far  and 
near  for  new  things, — new  ploughs,  vegetables,  trees,  pigs, — 
and  nothing  that  might  adorn  Mount  Yernon  escaped  his  far- 
reaching  eye.  He  writes  to  his  dear  Gen.  Knox  (28  Feb. 
1785  :) 

“ In  the  course  of  your  literary  disputes  at  Boston  (on  the  one  side 
to  drink  tea  in  company  and  to  be  social  and  gay,  on  the  other  to  im- 
pose restraints  which  at  no  time  even  were  agreeable  and  in  these  days 
of  more  liberty  and  indulgence  never  will  be  submitted  to)  I perceived 
and  was  most  interested  by  something  which  was  said  respecting  the 
composition  for  a public  walk,  which  also  appears  to  be  one  of  the 
exceptionable  things.” 

He  makes  minute  inquiries  about  this  composition,  being 
on  the  lookout  for  something  of  the  kind,  with  the  probable 
result  that  the  ‘‘Lovers  Walk”  of  Boston  Common  was  an- 
ticipated at  Mount  Yernon. 

During  all  the  improvements  Mount  Yernon  appears  to 
have  had  room  for  guests.  There  was  a steady  invasion 
of  Mount  Yernon  by  the  English,  after  the  Bevolution, 
and  among  these  were  literary  visitors  whom  Washington 
always  welcomed.  “Mrs.  Macauley  Graham  and  Mr.  Gra- 
ham and  others  have  just  left  this  after  a stay  of  about  ten 
days.  A visit  from  a lady  so  celebrated  in  the  literary 


Ixxii  HISTOHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

world  could  not  but  be  verj  satisfactory  to  me.”  (To  Gen. 
Knox  18  June  1785.)  From  the  defects  of  early  education 
Washington,  with  his  genius  for  writing,  set  the  highest 
value  on  literature.  This  led  to  his  friendship  with  °Jon- 
athan  Boucher,  and  made  him  hold  the  Harvard  tutor  of 
the  Custis  children  (Tobias  Lear)  as  equal  of  the  most 
eminent  guest,— introducing  him  to  Arthur  Young  as  one 
for  whom  he  had  “ a particular  friendship.”  In  this  di- 
rection Mount  Vernon  was  ahead  of  other  grand  mansions. 
It  is  p'obable  that  the  honor  most  valued  by  Washington 
was  his  Ohaneellorship  of  William  and  Mary  College  in  1778, 
—the  year  in  which  a student  of  his  name  (Bnshrod  Washing- 
ton) for  the  first  time  appeared  on  the  catalogue.  Apart 
from  the  momentous  matter  of  Slavery  Washington  was  re- 
markably advanced  in  his  social  ethics.  In  his  contempt  for 
duelling,  his  exaltation  of  the  educator,  a fear  of  formalism 
(insomuch  that  grace  was  not  said  at  his  table),  a taste  for 
elegance  in  dress  and  decoration,  and  in  his  cosmopolitan 
Ideas  generally,  Washington  was  all  the  more  singular  because 
of  the  association  of  these  things  in  him  with  a just  appreci- 
ation of  etiquette,  dislike  of  finery,  and  religious  reverence. 
Ills  conservatism  outside  of  his  mental  habitat,— for  instance 
in  politics,  has  caused  him  to  he  misjudged.  Otherwise  he 
had  little  sympathy  with  those  who,  as  ho  wrote  Landon  Car- 
ter, were  content  to  tread  the  path  their  fathers  trod.  One 
thing  should  be  mentioned  as  an  anticipation  of  higher  civil- 
ization : the  Mount  Vernon  Doctor  gained  nothing  by  his 
patients  he  was  salaried.  His  cosmopolitan  ideas  are  repre- 
sented in  many  letters,  among  them  in  one  to  Dr.  Priestley 
(14  April  1796)  in  which  he  expresses  the  opinion  that  the 
Act  of  1793  “ to  promote  the  progress  of  useful  arts  ” should 
be  altered  so  as  to  extend  equal  advantages  to  foreigners. 

The  following  selections  from  AYashington’sDiarreseonvey 
an  idea  of  his  Mount  Vernon  life,  and  have  bearing  on  the 
persons  and  places  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  volume. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxiii 

1760.  Jan.  5.  Mrs.  Washington  appeared  to  be  something  better — 
Mr.  Green,  however,  came  to  see  her  abt.  11  o’clock,  and  in  an  hour 
Mrs.  Fairfax  arrived.  [This  physician  was  that  same  Rev.  Mr.  Green 
who  was  made  Rector  of  Tniro  on  the  nomination  of  Washington’s 
father,  as  already  related,  remaining  snch  from  1737  to  1765.] 

12th.  Set  out  with  Mi*s.  Bassett  on  her  journey  to  Port  Royal.  . . . 

Lodgd  at  Mr.  McCraes  in  Dumfries  sending  the  horses  to  the  Tavern. 
Here  I was  inform’d  that  Col.  Cocke  was  disgusted  at  my  House  and 
left  it  because  he  see  an  old  negro  there  resembling  his  own  Image. 

[The  Diary  shows  Washington  leaving  Mrs.  Bassett  with  her  hus- 
band at  Port  Royal,  then  setting  out  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gibourne, 
who  married  a Fauntleroy,  dining  at  Col.  Carter’s,  lodging  at  Col. 
Champe’s.] 

16th.  I parted  with  Mr.  Gibourne,  leaving  Col.  Champes  before  the 
Family  was  stirring,  and  abt  10  reachd  my  mothr.  where  I break- 
fasted and  then  went  to  Fredericksbui-g  with  my  brother  Sam  who  I 
found  there.  . . . was  disappointed  of  seeing  my  sister  Lewis. 

. . . returned  in  ye  Evening  to  Mother’s  ; all  alone  with  her. 

2oth.  [at  Mount  Vernon]  Wrote  to  my  old  servant  Bishop  to  return 
to  me  again.  [This  was  the  man  confided  by  Braddock  to  Washing- 
ton.] 

Feb.  15.  Went  to  a ball  at  Alexandria,  where  Musick  and  dancing 
was  the  chief  Entertainment  however  in  a convenient  room  detached 
for  the  pui-pose  abounded  great  plenty  of  bread  and  butter,  some 
biscuits,  with  tea  and  coffee  which  the  drinkers  of  could  not  dis- 
tinguish from  hot  water  Sweetened.  I shall  therefore  distinguish  this 
ball  by  the  stile  and  title  of  the  Bread  & Butter  Ball. 

April  4.  Made  another  plow  the  same  as  my  former  [one  of  his  own 
invention]  excepting  that  it  has  two  eyes  and  the  other  one. 

April  9.  Doctr  Laurie  came  here,  I may  add  drunk.  [Dr.  L.  at- 
tended Washington’s  hands  for  £15  per  annum,] 

10.  Mrs.  Washington  was  blooded  by  Doctr  Laurie  who  stay’d  all 
night. 

1763.  March  21.  Grafted  40  cherrys,  viz.  12  Bullock  Hearts  (a  large 
black  May  Cherry),  18  very  fine  May  Cherry,  10  Cornation.  Also 
grafted  12  Magnum  Bonum  Plums.  Also  planted  4 Nuts  of  the  Med- 
iterranean Pame  in  the  Pen  where  the  Chesnut  grows — sticks  by  East. 
Note,  the  Cherrys  and  Plums  came  from  Coll°  Mason’s  Nuts  from  Mr. 
Gr  [een’s.]  Set  out  55  cuttings  of  the  Madeira  Grape.  . . . These  ' 
from  Mr.  Green’s.  [Other  entries  are  of  the  grafting  or  planting  of 
Spanish  Pears,  Butter  Pears,  Black  Pear  of  Worcester,  ‘ ‘ Bergamy 


Ixxiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

Pears,”  New  Town  Pippins, — from  Col.  Mason  who  had  them  “from 
Mr.  Presid‘  Blair,” — and  “ grapes  from  Mr.  Digges.”J 

1770.  Aug.  2 [Fredericksburg.]  Met  the  officers  of  the  first  Virg.“ 
Troops  at  Cap*  Weedon’s,  where  we  dined,  and  did  not  finish  till 
about  sunset.  Mrs.  Washington  and  Patsy  dined  at  Col.  Lewis’s 
where  we  lodged. 

4.  Dined  at  the  Barbecue  with  a great  deal  of  Com23any  and  stay’d 
there  till  sunset.  [On  another  occasion  he  spends  “ye  evening  at 
Weedons  at  y®  Club,”  in  Fredericksburg.] 

1772.  Sep.  14.  Set  out  for  Fredericksburg  about  7 o’clock.  Dined 
and  Fed  my  Horses  at  Peyton’s  on  Acquia,  and  reach’d  Fredericksburg 
abt  Dusk.  Lodged  at  my  Mothers. 

15.  Rid  to  my  two  Plantations  on  the  River  [Rap’k]  and  returned  to 
Mr.  Lewis’s  to  Dinner.  Spent  ye  evening  at  Weedons.* 

1785.  Oct.  Sunday  2.  “Went  with  Fanny  Bassett,  Burwell  Bassett, 
Doct*  Stuart,  G:  A.  Washington,  Mr.  Shaw,  & Nelly  Custis  to  Po- 
hick  Church;  to  hear  a Mr.  Thompson  preach,  who-retui’ned  home 
with  us  to  Dinner,  where  I found  the  Rev^  Mr.  Jones,  formerly  a 
Chaplain  in  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regiments.  After  we  were  in 
Bed  (about  eleven  o’clock  in  the  Evening)  Mr.  Houdon,  sent  from 
Paris  by  Doct*.  Franklin  and  Mr.  Jefi’erson  to  take  my  Bust,  in  behalf 
of  the  State  of  Virginia,  with  three  young  men  assistants,  introduced 
by  a Mr.  Parin  a French  Gentleman  of  Alexandria,  anived  here  by 
water  from  the  latter  j)lace.” 

[He  observes  and  gives  an  extended  description  of  Houdon’s  prep- 
aration of  the  ‘ Plaister  of  Paris.’  Houdon  finished  his  work  and  left 
on  the  19th.]  ^ 

26th.  Having  received  by  the  last  Northern  Mail  advice  of  the  ar- 
rival at  Boston  of  one  of  the  Jack  asses  presented  to  me  by  His  Cath- 


* These  entries  of  1772  suggest  that  his  mother  was  then  residing  in  Fred- 
ericksburg. 

An  earlier  bust,  by  Wright,  is  mentioned  in  the  letter  to  Mrs.  Wright 
referred  to  on  p.  xvii.  “If  the  Bust  which  your  son  has  modelled  of  me, 
should  reach  your  hands  and  afford  your  celebrated  Genii  any  employment, 
that  can  amuse  Mrs.  Wright,  it  must  be  an  honor  done  me. — and  if  your 
inclination  to  return  to  this  Country  should  overcome  other  considerations 
you  will,  no  doubt,  meet  a welcome  reception  from  your  numerous  friends  : 
among  whom,  I should  be  proud  to  see  a person  so  universally  celebrated, 
and  on  whom  nature  has  bestowed  such  rare  and  uncommon  gifts.”  The 
wonderful  bust  by  Echstein,  made  late  in  Washington’s  life,  is  owned  by 
Frederick  McGuire,  of  Washington. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxv 

olic  Majesty,  I sent  my  overseer  John  Fairfax  to  conduct  him  and  his 
Keeper,  a Spaniard,  home  safe. 

Dec.  7.  Capt".  Sullivan,  of  a Ship  at  Alexandria,  agreeably  to  my 
request,  came  here  to  dinner  to  interpret  between  me  and  the  Spaniard 
w’ho  had  the  care  of  the  Jack  ass  sent  me.  My  questions  and  his 
answers  resj^ecting  the  Jack  are  committed  to  writing. 

1785.  Dec.  17.  Went  to  Alexandria  to  meet  the  Trustees  of  the  Acade- 
my in  that  place — and  offered  to  Vest  in  the  Lands  of  the  said  Trustees 
when  they  are  jDermanently  established  by  charter,  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  pounds,  the  Interest  of  which  only  to  be  applied  toward  the 
establishment  of  a Charity  School  for  the  education  of  Orphans  and 
other  poor  children.  — which  offer  was  accepted ; returned  again  in  the 
evening — ^Roads  remarkably  wet  and  bad. 

1786.  March  19.  (Sunday)  A Gentleman  calling  himself  the  Count 
de  Cheiza  D’artignan  Officer  of  the  French  Guards  came  here  to  din- 
ner ; but  bringing  no  letters  of  introduction,  nor  any  authentic  testi- 
monials of  his  being  either ; I was  at  a loss  how  to  receive  or  treat 
him.  — he  stayed  dinner  and  the  evening. 

Tuesday  21st.  The  Count  de  Cheiza  D’artignan  (so  calling  himself) 
was  sent,  with  my  horses,  to-day,  at  his  own  request,  to  Alexand* . 

May  5.  Surveyed  4 mile  run  tract  accdg  to  a Plat  made  by  Jno 
Hough  1766  in  presence  of  Col.  Carlyle  & Jas  Mercer.  Staid  night  at 
Abingdon.  [Trespassers  on  this  tract  are  mentioned.] 

May  29.  About  9 o’clock  Mr.  Tobias  Lear,  who  had  been  previously 
engaged  on  a salary  of  200  dollars,  to  live  with  me  as  a private  Secre- 
tary & precepter  for  Washington  Custis  a year  came  here  from  New 
Hampshire,  at  which  place  his  friends  reside. 

June  4.  Sunday.  Received  from  on  board  the  Brig  Ann,  from  Ire- 
land, two  servant  men  for  whom  I agreed  yesterday — viz — Thomas 
Ryan,  a shoemaker,  and  Cavan  Bowen  a Tayler  Redemptioners  for  3 
years  service  by  Indenture  if  they  could  not  pay  each  the  sum  of  £12 
stere  which  sums  I agreed  to  pay 

Western  Lands  attended  to  by  Major  Freeman. 

Sept.  16.  On  my  return  home  found  the  Attorney  General  [Ed- 
mund Randolph]  his  Lady  and  two  children  ; and  Mr.  Charles  Lee 
here. — the  last  returned  to  Alexandria  after  dinner  under  a promise  to 
come  down  to  dinner  tomorrow  and  that  he  would  ask  Mr.  Herbert, 
CoP  Fitzgerald  & others  to  dine  here  also.  [The  Randolphs  left  on 
the  18th.] 

Nov.  11.  [Learns  of  arrival  at  Baltimore  of  3 asses  and  some  Chinese 
pheasants  and  French  partridges  from  France  sent  by  Lafayette.] 


Ixxvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


25.  Bought  the  time  of  a Dutch  family,  consisting  of  a man  by  pro- 
fession a Ditcher,  mower  &c» — a Woman  his  wife  a Spinner,  washer, 
milker,  and  their  child — names  : Daniel  Overdursh,  Margaret  Over- 
dursh,  Anna  Overdursh. 

1787.  Jan.  10.  I received  by  express  the  acc‘  of  the  sudden  death 
(by  a fit  of  the  Gout  in  the  head)  of  my  beloved  Brother  Col°  Jno. 
Aug®  Washington.  At  home  all  day. 

March  3.  The  Rev.  M.  Weems  and  y»  Doct"  Craik  who  came  here 
yesterday  in  the  afternoon  left  this  about  Noon  for  Port  Tob*. 

March  6.  On  my  return  home  found  Coh  [Burgess]  Ball  here — and 
soon  after  dinner  Mr.  G.  W.  Lewis  son  to  Mr.  Fielding  Lewis  of 
Frederick  came  in. 

April  24.  Major  G.  Washington’s  Child  which  had  been  sick  since 
Sunday,  and  appearing  to  be  very  ill  occasioned  the  sending  for  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Massey  to  christen  it  who  arriving  about  5 o’clock  performed 
the  ceremony.  25.  The  Major’s  child  dying  betw“  7 «&:  8 o’clock  a.m. 
Mr.  Massey  stayed  to  bury  it. 

26.  Receiving  an  express  between  4 & 5 o’clock  this  afternoon  in- 
forming me  of  the  extreme  illness  of  my  Mother  and  Sister  Lewis’s 
I resolved  to  set  out  for  Fredericksburgh  by  daylight  in  the  morning. 

27.  About  sunrise  I commenced  my  journey  as  intended — Bated  at 
Dumfries,  and  reached  Fredericksburg  before  two  o’clock  and  found 
both  my  mother  and  sister  better  than  I expected — the  latter  out  of 
danger  as  is  supposed,  but  the  extreme  low  state  in  w®^  the  former 
was  left  little  hope  of  her  recovery  as  she  was  exceedingly  reduced 
and  much  debilitated  by  age  and  the  disorder.  Dined  and  lodged  at 
my  Sister’s. 

28.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Lewis’s  and  Drank  Tea  at  Judge  Morcers  ; — 
Gen'  Weedon,  Col.  Ch*  Carter,  Judge  Mercer,  and  Mr.  Jno.  Lewis 
and  his  wife  dined  with  me  at  my  Sister’s. 

Sunday,  29th.  Dined  at  Col®  Charles  Carter’s — and  drank  tea  at  Mr. 
John  Lewis’s. 

30th.  Set  out  about  sunrise  on  my  return  home. 

[In  Washington’s  Journal  while  attending  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention the  only  extended  entries  relate  to  agricultural  observations 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  and  a machine  of  Dr.  Franklin’s, 
excepting  an  entry  on  the  close  of  the  Convention.] 

1788  June  9.  Capt"  Barney,  in  the  Miniature  ship  Federalist — as  a 
present  from  the  merchants  of  Baltimore  to  me  arrived  here  to  Break- 
fast with  her  and  stayed  all  day  & night.  Remained  at  home  all 
day. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxvii 


June  10.  Between  9 and  10  o’clock  set  out  for  Fredericksburgh  ac- 
companied by  Mrs.  Washington  on  a visit  to  my  Mother — Made  a 
visit  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  in  Colchester — & reached  Cob  Black- 
burns to  dinner,  where  we  lodged — he  was  from  home — the  next 
morning,  about  sunrise  we  continued  our  journey — breakfasted  at 
Stafford  Court  House  and  intended  to  have  dined  at  Mr.  Fitzhugh’s 
of  Chatham  but  he  & Lady  being  from  home  we  proceeded  to  Fred- 
ericksburgh— alighted  at  my  Mothers  and  sent  the  Carriage  and  horses 
to  my  Sister  Lewis’s — where  we  dined  and  lodged — as  we  also  did  the 
next  day,  the  first  in  company  with  Mr.  Fitzhugh,  CoF  Carter,  & CoF 
Willis  and  their  Ladies,  & Gen'  Weedon — The  day  following  (Friday) 
we  dined  in  a large  Company  at  Mansfield  (Mr.  Man  Page’s) — on  Satur- 
day we  visited  Gen*  Spotswoods  dined  there  and  returned  in  the  Even, 
ing  to  my  sisters — On  Sunday  we  went  to  Church — the  Congregation 
being  alarmed  (without  cause)  and  suppose  the  Gallerys  at  the  N® 
End  was  about  to  fall  were  thrown  into  the  utmost  confusion  ; and  in 
the  precipitate  retreat  to  the  doors  many  got  hurt.’ — Dined  in  a large 
Company  at  CoF  Willis’s — where,  taking  leave  of  my  friends,  we  re- 
crossed the  River,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Chatham — The  next  morn- 
ing before  five  o’clock  we  left  it — travelled  to  Dumfries  to  breakfast — 
and  reached  home  to  a late  dinner  and  found  Capt"  Barney  had  left  it 
about  half  an  hour  before  for  Alexandria  to  proceed  in  the  Stage  of 
Tomorrow  for  Baltimore. 

28.  [Attends  rejoicing  at  Alexandria  on  ratification  of  the  Constitu- 
tion by  Virginia  and  New  Hampshire.] 

Nov.  14.  [Engages  a German  gardener : beginning  with  £10,  and 
adding  a pound  annuallymp  to  £15  ; house  and  food  for  himself  and 
wife, — but  no  clothes.] 

Sept.  17.  This  day  agreed  with  my  overseer  Powell  at  the  lower 
Plantation  on  Rappa’^  to  continue  another  year  on  the  same  lay  as  the 
last  provided  the  number  of  hands  are  not  Increased — but,  if  I should 
add  a hand  or  two  more,  and  let  him  (as  I am  to  do  at  any  rate)  choose 
5 of  the  best  Horses  at  that  Quarter  & the  upper  one  he  is  in  that 
case  to  receive  only  the  8”*  of  what  Corn,  Wheat,  & Tob®  he  makes  on 
the  Plantation.  [The  “ Little  Falls  ” farm.  See  p.  xxxii.] 


’ The  gallery  was  new  and  one  beam  had  not  been  properly  fitted  ; it 
fell  into  its  place  under  weight  of  the  crowd  attracted  by  Washington,  with 
a loud  report.  The  late  Judge  Lomax  remembered  the  calmness  of  Wash- 
ington, who  remained  seated  ; tradition  says  that  his  quietness  somewhat 
restrained  the  rush  and  prevented  further  injuries. 


Ixxviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


As  some  portions  of  Washington’s  letters  to  Pearce  may 
suggest  closeness  in  money  matters,  it  should  be  stated  that 
his  charities  were  known  to  his  agents. 

“ I had  orders  from  Gen.  Washington,”  says  Peake  “ to  fill  a corn- 
honse  every  year,  for  the  sole  nse  of  the  poor  in  my  neighborhood,  to 
whom  it  was  a most  seasonable  and  precious  relief,  saving  numbers  of 
poor  women  and  children  from  extreme  want,  and  blessing  them  with 
plenty.  . . . He  owned  several  fishing  stations  on  the  Potomac, 

at  which  excellent  heri’ing  were  caught,  and  which,  when  salted, 
proved  an  important  article  of  food  to  the  poor.  For  their  accommo- 
dation he  appropriated  a station — one  of  the  best  he  had — and  fur- 
nished it  with  all  the  necessary  apparatus  for  taking  hemng.  Here 
the  honest  poor  might  fish  free  of  expense,  at  any  time,  by  only  an 
application  to  the  overseer ; and  if  at  any  time  unequal  to  the  labor  of 
hauling  the  seine,  assistance  was  rendered  by  the  order  of  the  Gen- 
eral.” 

In  the  accounts  of  Robert  Lewis,  while  his  uncle’s  agent, 
(shown  me  by  his  grand-daughter  Mrs.  Ella  B.  Washington) 
strictness  in  demands  is  accompanied  by  considerate  giving. 
On  22  Feb.  1795  he  writes: 

“ Mrs.  Haynie  should  endeavour  to  do  what  she  can  for  herself  ; — 
this  is  the  duty  of  every  one.  But  you  must  not  let  her  suffer,  as  she 
has  thrown  herself  upon  me  ; your  advances  on  this  account  will  be 
allowed  always  at  settlement ; and  I agree  readily  to  furnish  her  with 
provisions  ; and  from  the  good  character  you  give  of  her  daughter, 
make  the  latter  a present,  in  my  name,  of  a handsome  but  not  costly 
gown,  and  other  things  which  she  may  stand  mostly  in  need  of.  You 
may  charge  me  also  with  the  worth  of  your  tenement  on  which  she  is 
placed ; and  where  perhaps  it  is  better  she  should  be  than  at  a greater 
distance  from  your  attentions  to  her.” 

On  26  June  1796  he  writes  from  Mount  Vernon  : 

“I  am  sorry  to  hear  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Haynie;  and  will  very 
cheerfully  receive  her  daughter  the  moment  I get  settled  at  this 
place.  Let  her  want  for  nothing  that  is  decent  and  proper,  and  if  she 
remains  in  your  family,  I wish  for  the  girl’s  sake,  as  well  as  for  the  use 
she  may  be  to  your  aunt,  when  she  comes  here,  that  Mrs.  Lewis  would 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxix 

keep  her  industriously  employed  always^  and  instructed  in  the  care 
and  economy  of  housekeeping.” 

This  Mrs.  Haynie  and  her  daughter  were,  indeed,  distant 
relatives  of  Washington,  but  his  charity  was  felt  by  many 
not  his  kindred. 

It  must  be  always  borne  in  mind  that  extreme  economy 
alone  enabled  Washington  to  meet  the  drain  on  his  resources 
for  cultivation  of  his  estates,  and  for  unstinted  hospitalities 
which  extended  to  the  whole  world.  Moreover,  though  some- 
times impecunious  Washington  resolutely  stood  on  his  own 
legs.  Judge  Samuels  of  Virginia  possesses  a letter  of  Wash- 
ington to  John  F.  Mercer  soliciting  a loan  of  $200,  in  order 
to  pay  a debt  in  Xew  York.  It  was  written  in  September 

1786,  when  Washington  was  declining  remuneration  for  his 
public  services.  In  a letter  to  Warner  Washington,  9 Nov. 

1787,  (owned  by  Herbert  Washington  of  Philadelphia)  he 
speaks  of  the  “perplexed  state”  of  his  own  affairs  as  pre- 
venting his  acceptance  of  executorship  under  the  will  of  Col. 
Fairfax.  He  borrowed  money  to  go  on  to  his  first  inaugura- 
tion. 

On  15  March  1789  Washington  answers  an  ofiice-seeker : 

“ If  the  Administration  of  the  New  Government  should  inevitably 
fall  upon  me  that  I will  *go  into  office  totally  free  from  pre-engage- 
ments of  every  nature  whatsoever,  and  in  recommendations  to  appoint- 
ments will  make  justice  and  the  public  good,  my  sole  objects.  Re- 
solving to  pursue  this  rule  invariably — I can  add  nothing  more  on  the 
subject  of  your  application  until  the  time  shall  arrive  when  the  merit 
and  justice  of  every  claim  appears,  when,  so  far  as  the  matter  depends 
upon  me,  the  principles  above  mentioned  shall  to  the  best  of  my 
judgment  have  their  full  operation.” 

This  note  (owned  by  Frederick  McGuire  of  Washington) 
was  only  made  more  cordial  for  friends  and  relatives.  He 
helped  his  young  relatives  forward  but  with  avoidance  of 
nepotism.  He  made  them  private  secretaries,  paid  out  of  his 
own  purse,  employed  them  on  his  estates,  but  took  them  in 


Ixxx  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

public  service  only  for  posts  of  danger.  When  the  President 
went  out  to  suppress  the  “ Whiskey  Kebellion  ” five  nephews 
went  with  him:  Major  George  Lewis,  Commandant  of  the 
Cavalry ; Major  Lawrence  Lewis,  Aid  to  Gen.  Morgan  ; How- 
ell Lewis,  in  Capt.  Mercer’s  troop ; Samuel,  son  of  Col. 
Charles  Washington,  and  Lawrence,  son  of  Col.  Samuel 
Washington,  being  light  horsemen.  In  the  diary  of  Surgeon 
General  Wellford,  (sent  me  by  his  grandson.  Judge  Wellford 
of  Kichmond)  occurs  the  following  entry  concerning  an  inci- 
dent at  Bedford  : 

“ Sunday  Oct.  19,  1794.  The  Cavalry  this  morning  escorted  the 
President  about  five  miles  from  the  Camp,  when  he  requested  his 
troops  to  return,  and  at  taking  leave  spoke  to  Major  George  Lewis  as 
follows : ‘ ‘ George,  you  are  the  eldest  of  five  nephews  I have  in  the 
army ; let  your  conduct  be  an  example  to  them,  and  do  not  turn  your 
back  until  your  are  ordered.”  Major  Lewis  made  a suitable  reply ; 
but  from  this  address  of  the  President  it  was  conjectured  that  the 
troops  would  not  be  entirely  disbanded  at  the  end  of  three  months 
service.” 

Washington’s  relation  to  his  kindred  was  patriarchal,  even 
beyond  those  whom  he  may  be  said  to  have  adopted, — 
namely  his  wife’s  two  children  and  three  grandchildren,  and 
three  children  of  his  brother  Samuel.  The  terms  on  whicli 
his  nephews  were  with  Washington  are  illustrated  by  many 
humorous  anecdotes. 

The  Bev.  Dr.  McGuire  reports  the  following  in  the  words 
of  his  father-in-law  (Robert  Lewis,  nephew  of  Washington.) 

“ While  acting  as  his  agent  I accidentally  ascertained  that  he  owned 
a tract  of  land  in county,  of  which  he  had  given  me  no  ac- 

count. Some  short  time  after  the  discovery,  being  on  a visit  to 
Mount  Vernon,  with  my  family,  I mentioned  the  fact  to  him,  at  which 
he  seemed  to  be  at  a loss,  expressing  his  surprise  that  such  a claim 
should  have  escaped  him.  When  the  conversation  had  ended,  I re- 
marked, in  a jocular  tone,  that  I had  had  a singular  dream  about  that 
land,  a few  nights  before.  He  asked  me  what  it  was.  I replied  that 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxxi 

I had  dreamed  he  had  made  me  a present  of  the  tract.  He  smiled, 
and  observed  that  my  dreaming  knack  was  a very  convenient  one,  but 
why  did  I not  dream  at  once  that  he  had  given  me  Mount  Vernon? 
A few  days  after  this,  in  setting  out  for  my  residence,  the  General  ac- 
companied myself  and  wife  to  the  carriage,  when,  in  taking  leave  of 
us,  he  put  into  my  hands  a small  slip  of  paper,  requesting  me  to  ex- 
amine it  at  my  leisure.  Thinking  it  probably  contained  memoranda 
of  some  kind  relating  to  my  agency  I put  it  into  my  pocket,  and  did 
not  look  at  it  for  some  time.  When  I did  so,  however,  I was  sur- 
prised to  find  that,  in  the  space  of  six  written  lines,  he  had  made  me 
a conveyance  of  the  land  in  county.  The  tract  contained  up- 

ward of  eleven  hundred  acres.” 

Robert  Lewis’s  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  Ella  Bassett  Wash- 
ington, tells  me  that  this  conveyance  of  six  lines  was  kept 
framed,  and  often  declared  by  lawyers  as  perfect  a legal  in- 
strument of  its  kind  as  could  be  written. 

Washington’s  characteristic  humility  made  demonstrative 
homage  painful  to  him.  Caleb  Bentley  walked  behind  the 
General  in  a procession,  and,  on  his  return  home,  said  “ I 
felt  as  if  in  the  presence  of  a God.”  This  was  told  me  by 
Mrs.  Richard  Bentley,  of  Sandy  Spring,  Maryland,  Caleb’s 
daughter-in-law.  I also  heard  that  when  "Washington  was 
riding  through  a village,  where  people  had  crowded  to  see 
him,  he  observed  a little  girl  in  distress  because  she  could  not 
get  forward.  He  stopped  his  horse,  and  asked  that  the  child 
should  be  brought  to  him  ; he  held  her  on  his  saddle,  and  she 
exclaimed,  Why  he’s  only  a man  after  all ! ” Of  course 
tradition  has  invented  the  appropriate  reply,  Yes,  child,  a 
very  imperfect  man  after  all ! ” The  story  has  variants,  and 
sounds  like  a fable  of  the  humility  and  love  of  children  ob- 
served in  Washington.  lie  would  not  claim  any  privileges. 
After  he  had  retired  from  the  presidency  he  was  summoned 
for  a petit  jury  in  Fairfax,  on  an  ordinary  case,  and  served. 
The  fact  w^as  not  paraded,  or  noted,  and  is  now,  I believe,  for 
the  first  time  published. 

The  reader  will  have  remarked,  in  a letter  .to  Gen.  Knox 


Ixxxii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

(supra,  p.  Ixxi),  Washington’s  comment  on  the  censors  of 
gaietj  in  Boston.  It  is  wonderful  that  a man  so  fond  of 
sports,  of  games  and  dances,  should  be  popularly  regarded  as 
habitually  grave,  if  not  grim.  It  is  this  notion  which  re- 
moved him  so  far  from  us.  Miss  Katherine  Wormeley  told 
me  that  Washington  had  always  been  an  un-mortal  kind  of 
being  to  her  until  she  heard  the  aged  Mrs.  Lawrence  Lewis 
(Kelly  Custis)  relate  that  once  when  she  was  sliding  down 
the  banisters  he  came  out  and  ‘‘gave  her  a box  on  the 
cheek.”  That  seemed  to  bring  him  closer.  Kelly  was  his 
darling,  he  was  paternally  anxious  lest  she  should  be  hurt, 
and  the  box  was  one  of  affection.  In  Washington’s  corre- 
spondence with  Rev.  Jonathan  Boucher  (printed  in  Lippin- 
cott^s  Magazine,  May  1889,)  one  may  recognize  the  depriva- 
tions of  his  own  early  life  in  his  anxiety  that  his  adopted  son 
John  Custis  shall  be  taught  dancing,  French,  and  all  the 
polite  accomplishments.  The  overmuch  homespun  of  his 
boyhood  is  revealed  in  the  fine  costumes  he  orders  from  Lon- 
don for  himself  and  others  when  he  can  afford  it.  He  orders 
best  house  decorations,  and  a costly  harpsichord  for  Kelly 
Custis.  He  was  a whist  player,  a fox-hunter,  and  sometimes 
in  late  years  amused  himself  with  the  land  surveys  once  made 
for  livelihood. 

A valued  correspondent,  Dr.  Cotton  of  Charleston,  West 
Ya.,  whose  wife  is  a great-granddaughter  of  Augustine  Wash- 
ington (the  Generahs  half-brother)  permits  me  to  print  a let- 
ter of  his  (21  May  1889)  though  not  written  with  that  view. 
After  stating  that  his  wife’s  grandmother  (Mrs.  Fitzhugh) 
said  it  was  spoken  of  at  Mount  Yernon  as  a popular  error 
that  Lawrence  was  the  elder  of  Washington’s  half  brothers, 
he  writes: 

I give  you  one  of  her  reminiscences  of  Mt.  Vernon.  In  her  12'^* 
year  she  spent  several  weeks  there  in  company  with  quite  a number  of 
young  girls,  her  cousins,  who  with  their  mothers  were  invited  guests 
of  Mrs.  Washington.  Every  morning,  precisely  at  eleven  o’clock. 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxxiii 


“ Lady  Washington  ” would  enter  the  drawing  room,  where  all  her 
guests  young  & old  were  expected  to  be  present,  waiting  to  receive 
her.  In  the  most  formal  and  dignified  manner  she  would  pass 
around  the  room  shaking  hands  and  addressing  each  one  particularly ; 
then  taking  her  seat  would  keep  them  just  one  hour  on  their  good  be- 
havior. When  the  clock  struck  twelve  she  would  arise,  and  bidding 
her  guests  good  morning,  ascend  to  her  chamber,  and  again  return, 
precisely  at  one,  followed  by  a seiwant  carrying  an  immense  bowl  of 
punch,  of  which  each  person  was  expected  to  partake  before  dinner. 
Now  these  young  girls,  curious  to  find  out  why  her  “Ladyship”  in- 
variably retired  to  her  chamber  at  this  hour,  secretly  slipped  out  while 
she  was  entertaining  their  mothers,  crept  up  stairs  to  her  chamber, 
and  hid  under  the  bed.  Presently  Lady  W.  entered,  and  took  her 
seat  beside  a large  table  in  the  centre  of  the  room.  Then  came  a 
man-servant  bringing  a large  empty  bowl ; with  it  also  lemons,  sugar, 
spices,  and  rum ; with  which  her  Ladyship  immediately  proceeded  to 
prepare  the  delicious  drink  with  her  own  hands.  The  young  people 
under  the  bed  could  not  contain  themselves,  and  by  giggles  made 
known  their  presence ; whereupon  her  Ladyship  haughtily  arose,  in 
imperious  tones  demanded  if  their  curiosity  were  fully  satisfied,  and 
ordered  them  out  of  the  room.  But  they,  retreating  before  her  with 
backward  steps,  fell  down  the  narrow,  crooked,  precipitous  stairway, 
one  of  them  breaking  her  arm.  The  impression  left  upon  the  mind 
of  this  young  girl  (afterward  Mrs.  Fitzhugh),  never  effaced  up  to  her 
91®‘  year,  when  she  related  this  incident  to  her  grandchildren,  was 
that  Mrs.  Washington  was  too  hard  and  overbearing  to  children, 
while,  on  the  contrary,  the  General  was  always  gentle  with  them,  un- 
der the  most  trying  circumstances.  Often,  when  at  their  games  in 
the  drawing  room  at  night, — perhaps  romping,  dancing  and  noisy — 
they  would  see  the  General  watching  their  movements  at  some  side 
door,  enjoying  their  sport,  and  if  at  any  time  his  presence  seemed  to 
check  them,  he  would  beg  them  not  to  mind  him,  but  go  on  just  as 
before,  encouraging  them  in  every  possible  way  to  continue  their 
amusements  to  their  hearts  content.  , 

Many  letters  show  that  Washington’s  young  relatives  con- 
sulted him  on  their  intimate  affairs.  He  was  the  confidant  of 
their  loves,  and  amid  tremendous  affairs  of  state  found  time 
to  consider  their  romances.  Here,  for  instance,  is  a note  from 
his  niece  Harriot,  whom  he  had  adopted  after  her  father’s 


Ixxxiv  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

(Samuel  "Washington’s)  death,  and  who  was  living  with  her 
aunt  Betty  Lewis  at  Fredericksburg.  Harriot  writes  (24 
April,  1795)  at  the  age  of  fifteen : 

“ How  shall  I apologize  to  my  dear  & Honor’d  for  intruding  on  his 
goodness  so  soon  again  but  being  sensible  of  your  kindness  to  me 
which  I shall  ever  remember  with  the  most  heartfelt  gratitude  in- 
duces me  to  make  known  my  wants. — I have  not  had  a pair  of  stays 
since  I first  came  here  if  you  could  let  me  have  a pair  I should  be 
very  much  obleiged  to  you  and  also  a hat  and  a few  other  articles.  I 
hope  my  dear  Uncle  will  not  think  me  extravagant  for  really  I take  as 
much  care  of  my  cloaths  as  I possibly  can..  I was  very  much  pleased 
to  hear  by  Mrs.  Madison  that  you  and  Aunt  Washington  were  perfect- 
ly well.  I have  been  very  sick  lately  with  the  ague  and  fever.  Cou- 
sin Carter  has  been  daingerously  ill  she  was  given  out  by  the  Doctors 
but  is  much  better  at  present.  Aunt  Lewis  Joins  me  in  love  to  you 
and  Aunt  Washington. 

I am  my  dear  and  Honored  Uncle 

your  affectionate  Neice, 

Harriot  Washington.” 

An  interesting  correspondence  between  Washington  and  liis 
sister  concerning  this  ymung  lady  is  given  in  the  3fa^.  Am. 
Hist.  Jan.,  1884.  When  Harriot  consulted  Washington 
about  her  desire  to  marry  Mr.  Parks  he  made  careful  inqui- 
ries about  the  gentleman.  He  consented,  but  regretted  in  a 
letter  to  his  sister  that  Harriot  could  not  have  waited  until 
his  presidency  w^as  over,  when  she  would  have  lived  at  Mount 
Yernon  and  enlarged  her  circle  of  male  acquaintances. 

Washington’s  camaraderie  has  already  been  mentioned. 
Masonic  writers  generally  suppose  that  he  was  by  distinction 
admitted  to  their  Society  before  he  was  of  age  ; but  the  date, 
4 Hov.  1752,  was  pretty  certainly  in  the  following  year  (X. 
S.)  There  was  also  a Club  in  Fredericksburg,  mentioned  in 
Washington’s  Diary  as  early  as  1763,  which  met  at  “Wee- 
don’s.”  Before  the  Bevolution  Dr.  Smytli,  an  English  trav- 
eller, stopped  at  George  Weedon’s  inn  (“  The  Kising  Sun”) 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  IxXXV 

and  found  his  host  the  head  of  a revolutionary  circle.  This 
no  doubt  was  the  Club.  There  Washington  may  have  met 
in  his  time  Gen.  Hugh  Mercer,  Gen.  Woodford,  Gen. 
Weedon,  Col.  Wm.  Fitzhugh,  Col.  Monroe,  Col.  John  Spots- 
wood.  Col.  Fielding  Lewis,  Col.  Burgess  Ball,  Major  Charles 
Dick,  Major  Willis,  and  the  Stafford  Mercers,  Masons,  and 
Washingtons  ; he  no  doubt  met  there  young  Paul  Jones.  Of 
these  a goodly  number  survived  the  Bevolution.  Gen.  Hugh 
Mercer  (1720-1777)  who  had  fought  ’at  Culloden,  and  by 
Washington’s  side  under  Braddock,  had  fallen  at  Princeton  ; 
but  in  his  old  home  at  Fredericksburg,  ‘‘The  Sentry  Box” 
(yet  standing)  his  brother-in-law,  Gen.  Weedon,  gathered  the 
old  comrades  every  year  for  a banquet  in  celebration  of  the 
capture  of  the  Hessians.  Gen.  Hugh  Mercer’s  little  son, 
adopted  by  the  nation,  was  brought  in  to  sing  to  the  veterans, 
responding  with  chorus,  a ballad  of  “Christmas  Day  of  ’76.’’ 
Among  those  who  greeted  Washington  with  especial  warmth 
was  Dr.  Bobert  Wellford  (afterwards  Surgeon-General) 
founder  of  an  eminent  race.  When  the  Bevolution  began 
Dr.  Wellford  had  just  begun  practice  in  London.  A Cabinet 
Minister,  thrown  from  his  carriage  at  the  young  surgeon’s 
door,  was  so  skilfully  treated  that  he  offered  Wellford  a po- 
sition with  the  army  in  America.  He  served  with  brilliant 
success  in  Philadelphia^ during  the  British  occupation  of  that 
city,  but  in  consequence  of  orders  he  deemed  inconsistent 
with  his  professional  duties  he  resigned.  Having  saved  the 
life  of  Col.  John  Spots  wood  he  was  persuaded  to  accompany 
him  to  Fredericksburg, — where  he  married.  Thither  he 
bore  letters  of  Washington  with  results  indicated  in  a let- 
ter before  me,  in  which,  on  occasion  of  the  Whiskey  Be- 
bellion.  Dr.  Wellford  offered  gratuitous  services — which  were 
accepted. 

“ Robert  Wellford,”  says  this  letter,  “can  never  forget  a most  re- 
spectfnll  regard  for  the  President,  nor  can  he  relinquish  but  with 
memory  itself  his  gratitude  for  those  introductory  letters  (to  the 


Ixxxvi  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

notice  and  friendship  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis,  Mr.  Fitzhngh  of  Chat- 
ham, and  other  respectable  characters)  which  settled  him  in  life,  and 
from  which  has  resulted  a practice  in  surgery  and  medicine  which 
now  enables  him  to  support  an  amiable  wife,  two  lovely  daughters, 
and  the  means  of  educating  six  sons,  every  one  of  which,  he  hopes,  at 
a future  day  will  prove  themselves  valuable  members  of  the  United 
States.” 

Judge  Wellford  of  Kichmond  has  shown  me  one  of  these 
letters,  introducing  his  grandfather  (6  July  1778)  to  William 
Fitzhugh;  it  speaks  of  Wellford’s  ‘‘great  humanity,  care 
and  tenderness  to  the  sick  and  wounded  of  our  army  in  cap- 
tivity.” 

Another  name  too  little  known  to  fame  is  Captain  Bernard 
Gallagher,  of  maternal  descent  from  Chancellor  Nicholas 
Bacon.  Disliking  a parental  plan  for  making  him,  the  only 
son,  a priest,  he  had  escaped  from  Ballyshannon,  Ireland,  as 
a cabin  boy,  and  wdien  our  revolution  began,  had  risen  to  the 
command  of  his  vessel.  Captured  by  an  American  cruiser  he 
adopted  the  cause  of  his  captors.  In  1781  Capt.  Gallagher, 
living  at  Dumfries,  Prince  William  Co.,  Ya.,  loaded  a vessel 
at  Alexandria  with  corn  to  provision  Yorktown,  dropped 
down  the  river,  and  was  chased  by  a British  cruiser,  which 
signalled  that  the  cargo  would  be  paid  for  if  surrendered. 
But  while  parleying,  the  captain  and  crew  scuttled  their  own 
ship.  While  attempting  escape  in  the  yawl.  Captain  Gal- 
lagher was  captured,  and  held  in  chains  at  Halifax  two  years, 
in  the  prison  ships,  until  the  peace.  Thereafter  Washington 
was  sometimes  a guest  of  the  Gallaghers,  at  Dumfries,  and  at 
the  request  of  Mrs.  Gallagher,  {nee  Strother,)  sat  for  his  por- 
trait. 

It  is  this  portrait,  painted  by  C.  W.  Peale,  which  the  gal- 
lant Captain’s  grandson,  Bev.  Mason  Gallagher  of  Brooklyn, 
enables  me  to  present  in  this  volume.  It  was  painted  when 
Washington  was  fifty-five,  his  mouth  being  not  yet  dis- 
figured by  the  monstrous  artificial  teeth  now  in  the  Dental 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxxvii 

Museum  at  Baltimore,  by  which  the  standard  portraits  are 
affected. ‘ 

There  were  other  old . comrades  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mount  Yernon, — Dr.  Craik,  Col.  Simms,  Col.  Fitzgerald, 
Col.  Little,  Lieut.  Conway,  and  others  who  may  be  found  in 
the  Index  of  this  work. 

What  sentiment  Washington  felt  towards  old  friends  is 
shown  in  many  letters.  The  following  from  Philadelphia, 
16  June  1793,  is  to  William  Fitzhugh  Jr.,  and  relates  to  his 
father.  Col.  William  Fitzhugh  of  Chatham  (known  in  the 
late  Civil  War  as  ‘‘  Lacy’s  ”). 

“ The  China  Bowl  with  which  your  good  Father  was  so  obliging  as 
to  present  me  came  safe  and  I beg  you  to  assure  him  that  I shall  es- 
teem it  more  as  a memento  of  his  friendship  than  from  its  antiquity  or 
size. — Not  before  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  dated  the  24th  of  last 
month,  had  I heard  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Fitzhugh — on  this  melancholy 
event  I pray  you  both  to  accept  my  sincere  condolance.  I also  sin- 
cerely wish  that  the  evening  of  his  life  although  at  present  clouded  de- 
prived of  one  of  its  greatest  enjoyments,  may  be  perfectly  serene  and 
happy  : — that  you  will  contribute  all  in  your  power  to  make  it  so  I 
have  no  doubt.  With  great  esteem  and  regard.”^ 

In  the  last  years  of  Washington’s  life  the  family  was  rep- 
resented in  Westmoreland  chiefly  by  a son  of  his  half-brother 
Augustine, — William  Augustine  Washington.  Bushrod,  son 
of  his  brother  John  Augustine,  was  a rising  lawyer  in  Rich- 
mond City;  and,  since  the  separation  from  Edmund  Ran- 


’ For  the  mask  appended  to  this  portrait  the  reader  is  indebted  to  Dr. 
Toner,  by  whom  it  was  discovered  while  searching  out  a portrait  for  a 
medal  in  commemoration  of  the  national  monument.  The  medal  was  never 
struck,  and  the  mask  is  here  first  published.  It  was  used  by  Clark  Mills, 
and  is  in  the  possession  of  one  of  his  workmen.  While  Mills  was  making 
his  equestrian  statue,  John  Augustine  Washington,  the  owner  of  Mount 
Vernon,  loaned  him  Houdon’s  bust ; whether  this  mask  was  molded  from 
it,  or,  as  I think  with  Dr.  Toner,  an  original  matrix  by  Houdon,  is  not  de- 
termined. But  it  is  certainly  an  impressive  representation  of  Washington. 

- For  this  and  the  remaining  letters  used  in  this  Introduction  I am  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Luther  Kountze. 


Ixxxviii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

dolpli,  had  attended  to  his  uncle’s  law  affairs.  The  two  let- 
ters following  relate  to  the  selection  of  an  academy  for  Will- 
iam Augustine’s  sons.  He  writes  from  Philadelphia  (18 
Feb.  1795)  recommending  Andover. 

“ There  is  a college  at  Carlisle  in  this  State  of  which  much  is  said 
but  it  is  in  much  such  a town  as  Fredericksburg,  and  liable,  I presume 
to  the  objections  you  have  made  to  the  Academies  in  Virginia ; — that 
objection  does  not  apply  to  the  northern  schools  ; order,  regularity 
and  a proper  regard  to  morals  in  and  out  of  school  is  there  very  much 
attended  to  ; and  besides  Harvard  College  Boston  is  at  hand  for  the 
completion  of  education  if  you  should  prefer  it,  and  is,  I am  told,  in 
high  repute.” 

Andover  was  chosen,  and  Washington  encloses  (21  April 
1795)  letters  of  introduction  to  Hamilton  and  others. 

‘ ‘ Enclosed  I send  you  a few  letters  of  introduction  to  some  ac- 
quaintances of  mine  both  in  Boston  and  New  York.  I have  not  done 
this  to  the  Governors  thereof  but  think  it  would  be  proper  that  you 
should  pay  both  the  respect  of  Calling  upon  them.  To  get  introduced 
could  not  be  difficult  with  the  letters  that  are  enclosed.” 

Another  letter  from  Mount  Yernon  (17  Dec.  1797)  re- 
minds us  painfully  of  alienations  in  the  last  years  of  Wash- 
ington’s presidency.  It  was  Mrs.  Washington’s  letter  to 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Powell  in  Philadelphia,  hut  every  word  of  it  is 
in  her  husband’s  handwriting,  and  evidently  his  composition. 

‘ ‘ It  was  indeed,  with  sympathetic  concern,  we  heard  of  the  late 
calamitous  situation  of  Philadelphia,  and  indisposition  of  some  of 
your  friends  : — These  occurrences,  however,  are  inflicted  by  an  invis- 
ible hand,  as  trials  of  our  Philosophy,  resignation  and  patience ; all 
of  which  it  becomes  us  to  exercise.  . . 

“Poor  M"  Morris!  I feel  much  for  her  situation;  and  earnestly 
pray  that  Morris  may,  and  soon,  work  through  all  his  difficulties  ; 
in  which  I am  persuaded,  that  all  who  know  him  heartily  join  me ; as 
they  do  that  their  ease,  quiet  and  domestic  enjoyments,  may  be  per- 
fectly restored.  M’’*  Marshalls  arrival  must  be  a comfort  to  them  all. 


HISTORICAL  AXD  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  Ixxxix 

liowever  disappointed  she  herself  may  be,  in  the  apparent  reverse  of 
their  situation,  since  she  embarked  for  Europe.  . . . 

M‘‘  Fitzhugh  and  family,  have,  within  the  last  fortnight,  become 
residents  of  Alex*  and  we  should,  ’ere  this,  have  made  them  a con- 
gratulatory visit  on  the  occasion,  but  the  bad  weather  in  which  they 
travelled,  has  indisposed  Fitzhugh  so  much,  as  to  confine  her  to 
her  room  with  an  inflammation,  more  troublesome  than  dangerous. 

“ I am  now,  by  desire  of  the  General  to  add  a few  words  on  his  be- 
half ; which  he  desires  may  be  expressed  in  the  terms  following,  that 
is  to  say, — that  despairing  of  hearing  what  may  be  said  of  him,  if  he 
should  really  go  off  in  an  apoplectic,  or  any  other  fit  (for  he  thinks  all 
fits  that  issue  in  death  are  worse  than  a love  fit,  a fit  of  laughter,  and 
many  other  kinds  which  he  could  name) — he  is  glad  to  hear  hefoi'e- 
liand  what  will  be  said  of  him  on  that  occasion ; — conceiving  that 
nothing  extra  : will  happen  between  this  and  then  to  make  a change  in 
his  character  for  better,  or  for  worse. — And  besides,  as  he  has  entered 
into  an  engagement  with  M’’  Morris,  and  several  other  Gentlemen,  not 
to  quit  the  theatre  of  this  world  before  the  year  1800,  it  may  be  relied 
upon  that  no  breach  of  contract  shall  be  laid  to  him  on  that  account, 
unless  dire  necessity  should  bring  it  about,  maugre  all  his  exertions 
to  the  contrary. — In  that  case,  he  shall  hope  they  would  do  by  him  as 
he  would  do  by  them — excuse  it.  At  present  there  seems  to  be  no 
danger  of  his  giving  them  the  slip,  as  neither  his  health  nor  spirits, 
were  ever  in  greater  flow,  notwithstanding,  he  adds,  he  is  descending, 
and  has  almost  reached,  the  bottom  of  the  hill ; — or  in  other  words, 
the  shades  below. — For  your  particular  good  wishes  on  this  occasion 
he  charges  me  to  say  that  he  feels  highly  obliged,  and  that  he  recip- 
rocates them  with  great  cordiallity. 

“Nelly  Custis  (who  has  been  a little  indisposed  with  a swelling  in  her 
face)  offers  her  thanks  for  the  kind  expressions  of  your  letter  in  her 
behalf,  and  joins  the  General  and  myself  in  eveiy  good  wish  for  your 
health  and  happiness. — I am  my  dear  Madam  with  the  greatest  es- 
teem 

Your  most  affectionate 

Martha  Washington.” 

There  is,  alas,  bitterness  in  this  laughter. 

At  this  time  Washington  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
building  up  of  Washington  City.  In  a letter  to  his  friend 
William  Thornton,  dated  at  Mount  Vernon,  20  Dec.  1798,  he 


XC  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

encloses  a check  on  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  for  five  hundred 
dollars,  “ to  enable  Mr.  Blagden  by  your  draughts  to  proceed 
in  laying  in  materials  for  carrying  on  my  buildings  in  the 
Federal  City.”  He  adds : 

‘ ‘ I saw  a building  in  Philadelphia  of  about  the  same  front  and  el- 
evation, that  are  to  be  given  to  my  two  houses,  which  pleases  me.  It 
consisted  also  of  two  houses  united, — Doors  in  the  centre — a pediment 
in  the  roof  and  dorma  window  on  each  side  of  it  in  front — skylights  in 
the  rear.  If  this  is  not  incongruous  with  rules  of  Architecture,  I 
would  be  glad  to  have  my  two  houses  executed  in  this  style. — Let  me 
request  the  favor  of  you  to  know  from  Mr.  Blagden  what  the  addi- 
tional cost  will  be.” 

A letter  (5  April  1798)  to  Col.  William  A.  Washington 
shows  the  farmer  and  the  patriot  both  somewhat  troubled. 

“I  feel  obliged  by  your  endeavours  to  discover  the  genealogical 
descent  from  Lawrence  Washington,  the  younger  brother  of  our  an- 
cestor John; — and  for  your  enquiries  after  flour  barrel  staves. — If 
any  material  information  should  be  obtained  relatively  to  the  first 
matter,  I shall  be  oblidged  by  the  communication  thereof. 

“ At  a crisis  like  the  present,  and  enveloped  as  our  foreign  relations 
seem  to  be  in  clouds  & darkness,  it  is  not  easy  to  decide  on  what  to 
ask,  or  what  to  take,  for  the  produce  of  our  fields. — By  the  last  acc^® 
from  Paris,  our  Commissioners  to  that  Republic  had  not  been  re- 
ceived, nor  was  it  likely  they  would  be  ; and  appearances,  as  far  as  it 
is  to  be  infered  from  the  Presid^  message  to  Congress  on  the  19th 
Ult®,  indicated  nothing  good,  and  afibrd  no  hope  of  redress  for  the  in- 
juries we  have  received  from  violated  Treaties,  and  the  arbitrary  and 
unjust  measures  of  the*  French  Directory.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, and  the  present  uncertain  state  of  our  political  concerns,  it 
would  be  hazardous  to  offer  you  any  advice  with  respect  to  the  dis- 
posal of  your  Com  : but  was  I in  your  place,  I should,  I believe, 
be  more  inclined  to  take  the  best  price  I could  obtain  noio  than  wait 
for  a better  market  some  tirne  hence; — and  I should  be  more  solici- 
tous to  secure  the  filfilment  of  the  contract  than  to  enhance  the  price 
of  the  article  if  credit  is  given,  and  without  giving  it,  the  sale  will 
be  dull : — such  is  the  state  of  mercantile  transactions,  occasioned 
by  the  outrageous  spoliations  it  has  sustained,  & the  consequent  dis- 


HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION.  xci 


tresses  of  those  who  have  suffered  by  them. — Under  this  view  of  the 
subject,  and  upon  these  principles  too,  I have  disposed  of  my  Flour  : 
— the  only  article  I had  for  market. 

‘ ‘ In  speaking  of  com,  and  knowing  that  you  raise  a quantity  every 
year  for  sale,  it  has  occurred  to  me  to  ask,  if  you  would  be  inclined  to 
contract  for  500  barrels  annually,  for  the  term  of  five  or  seven  years, 
and  at  what  price.  My  lands  are  not  congenial  with  this  crop,  and  are 
much  injui'ed  by  the  growth  of  it ; — having  an  under  stratum  of  hard 
clay  impervious  to  water,  which  penetrating  that  far  and  unable  to 
descend  lower,  sweeps  off  the  upper  soil  in  the  furrows — although  the 
land  is  generally  level — and  mns  it,  in  spite  of  all  I can  do  to  prevent 
it,  into  injurious  and  eye-sore  gullies. — Nothing  but  the  indispensable 
use  of  this  food  for  my  negros  (and  indeed  for  Hogs)  has  restrained 
me  from  discontinuing  the  growth  of  it  altogether,  or  in  small  well 
improved  lots  only,  but  the  uncertainty  of  obtaining  a given  quantity 
— at  stated  periods  of  the  year — and  from  a person  on  whose  ability  & 
punctuality  I could  confidently  rely.” 

On  14  Feb.  1799  he  writes  to  ask  if  he  cannot  obtain  an 
additional  100  bushels  of  corn  per  annum.  On  26  March  he 
wishes  to  know  if  he  can  exchange  whiskey  for  Indian  corn 
in  'Westmoreland.  Capt.  Bowcock  has  delivered  more  corn 
than  he  received  from  you ; of  which  Mr.  Anderson  my 
manager  will  give  you  the  a/c — as  he  will  also  do  of  the  whis- 
key ; the  barrel  of  fish  you  will  please  to  accept. — My  best 
respects  and  congratulations  in  which  my  wife  joins  me,  are 
offered  to  Mrs.  Washington  and  yourself  on  your  marriage. 
We  shall  always  be  glad  to  see  you  at  this  place.”  In  June 
(10th)  he  complains  of  slow  payments  from  tenants  in  Wash- 
ington and  Lafayette  counties  (Pa.)  Instead  of  an  expected 
$6,000,  due  June  1,  but  $1,700  were  received. 

To  this  Col.  William  Augustine  Washington  the  General 
made  various  bequests,  but  he  appears  to  have  entirely  for- 
gotten the  terms  of  his  half-brother  Lawrence’s  Will.  Law- 
rence provided  that  in  the  event  that  either  of  his  brothers 
should  die  without  issue  his  inheritance  should  “become  the 
property  and  right  of  my  brother  Augustine  and  his  heirs.” 
The  General  being  without  issue  Mount  Yernon  would  thus 


xcii  HISTORICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 

pass  to  Augustine’s  heir, — namely,  to  William  Augustine 
Washington.  The  General  bequeathed  it  to  Bushrod, 
nephew  of  his  own  brother,  John  Augustine. 

I learn  on  good  authority  that  Washington’s  widow  wrote 
to  Col.  William  Augustine  Washington  asking  him  if  he  in- 
tended to  break  the  will.  He  answered  that  although  a 
wrong  had  been  done  he  would  not  oppose  the  Will.  He 
was  given  the  first  choice  of  swords  under  the  Will. 

In  the  last  letter  printed  in  this  volume  Washington  says 
to  a relative  who  had  informed  him  of  his  brother  Charles’s 
death,  “ I was  the  first,  and  am,  now,  the  last  of  my  father’s 
children  by  the  second  marriage,  who  remain.  When  I shall 
be  called  ujpon  to  follow  them  is  known  only  to  the  Giver  of 
Life.  When  the  summons  comes  I shall  endeavor  to  obey  it 
with  a good  grace.”  The  hour  came  a few  weeks  later,  and 
how  the  man  met  it  is  known  to  the  world,  though  hardly 
recognized  in  its  sublimity.  Washington  counting  his  pulses 
as  they  were  beating  his  funeral  march  is  onl}^  less  sublime 
than  Washington  counting  his  mental  pulses,  so  to  say,  and 
facing  the  fact  of  their  decline.  (See  letter  to  Gov.  Trum- 
bull, Life  of  Silliman^  ii.  385.)  When  his  friends,  and  par- 
tizans  in  dread  of  defeat,  implored  him  to  accept  a third 
presidency,  his  patriotism, — the  ruling  passion  strong  amid 
other  decline, — answered,  “ Although  I have  abundant  cause 
to  be  thankful  for  the  good  health  with  which  I am  blessed, 
yet  I am  not  insensible  to  my  declination  in  other  respects. 
It  would  be  criminal,  therefore,  in  me,  although  it  should  be 
the  wish  of  my  countrymen  and  I could  be  elected,  to  accept 
an  office  under  this  conviction  which  another  would  discharge 
with  more  ability.” 

History  has  shown  nothing  more  great  in  its  lowliness  than 
this  answer  of  Washington, — noble  enough  to  protect  at  last 
from  genuine  loyalty  to  himself  the  nation  he  had  saved 
from  superstitious  loyalty  to  kings. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


AND 


MOUNT  VEENON 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


AND 

MOUNT  YEENON. 


I. 

To  William  Peaece,  at  Hopewell/ 

Sir,  Philadelphia,  Ang^  26*"^  1793. 

I intended  to  have  written  to  you  somewhat  sooner,  but 
business  of  a public  nature  and  pressing,  prevented  it  until 
now.  — 

Although  I have  conviction  in  my  own  mind,  that  a hun- 
dred guineas  p*^  annum  is  more  than  my  Mount  Yernon  Es- 
tate will  enable  me  to  give  the  Superintendent  of  it ; yet,  the 
satisfaction  (when  one  is  at  a considerable  distance  from  prop- 
erty they  possess,  under  circumstances  which  does  not  allow 
much  thought  thereon)  of  having  a person  in  whom  confi- 
dence can  be  placed  as  a Manager,  is  such,  as  to  dispose  me 
to  allow  you  that  sum  ; provided  other  matters  can  be  ad- 
justed to  the  mutual  convenience,  and  satisfaction  of  both 
parties. 

As  you  were  about  to  depart  in  the  Stage  when  I saw  you 
(and  which  I knew  could  not  wait)  I did  not  go  so  much  into 

’ Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland.  Pearce  was  secured  for  Washington  by  his 
friend  (Judge)  Wm.  Tilghman,  whose  relative,  Col.  Oswald  Tilghman,  tells 
me  that  a part  of  his  estate  at  Easton,  Talbot  Co.,  is  still  known  as  “ Hope- 
well.”  (Appendix  A.) 


4 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


detail  as  was  necessary  to  place  an  agreement  upon  a basis  to 
avoid  mis'conception,  and  unpleasant  disputes  thereafter ; 
and  besides,  altlio’  you  would  be  upon  standing  wages,  which, 
in  the  opinion  of  some  would  make  it  immaterial  (these  being 
paid)  what  sort  of  an  estate  you  overlooked  ; yet  my  opinion 
of  a sensible  and  discreet  man  is,  that  before  he  would  finally 
engage,  he  would  view  the  estate  himself,  and  decide  from 
that  view,  wdiether  it  possessed  such  advantages  as  would  en- 
able him  to  acquire  honor  as  well  as  profit  from  the  manage- 
ment thereof; — whether  he  could  make  it  profitable  to  his 
Employer  from  its  local  situation  ; from  the  nature  of  its 
soil,  and  means  of  improving  it ; — the  plans  proposed  ; or  the 
condition  in  which  it  might  appear  to  him.  Whether  the 
part  of  the  Country,  the  accomodations,  the  water,  &c*^  were 
to  his  liking  ; — with  other  considerations  which  will  admit  no 
evidence  equal  to  that  of  one’s  own  observation,  to  decide  ul- 
timately on  what  to  resolve. — 

Having  stated  a fact,  and  given  my  ideas  of  what  I sup- 
pose would  be  most  agreeable  for  you  to  do,  I shall  add,  that 
if  nothing  more  than  I foresee  at  present  should  happen,  I 
expect  to  be  at  Mount  Yernon  about  the  20*^^  of  next  Month, 
for  a stay  of  8 or  10  days. — If  then  you  are  disposed  to  un- 
dertake my  business,  and  wish  to  see  the  nature  of  it,  and  the 
present  state  of  it;  I should  be  glad  to  see  you  there  about 
that  time,  when  every  necessary  arrangement  may  be  made  if 
we  should  finally  agree. 

From  Baltimore  to  Mount  Yernon  by  the  way  of  the  Fed- 
eral City,  George  Town,  and  Alexandria,  is  59  measured 
Miles  ; — and  from  Annapolis  to  the  same  place,  crossing  Pot- 
omac at  Alexandria,  is  45  Miles ; but  it  might  be  reduced  to 
less  than  40  if  there  was  a ferry  opposite  to  m}^  house. — From 
Baltimore  to  Alexandria  (through  the  above  places)  the  regular 
Stages  pass;  and  set  out  every  Monday,  Wednesday  and  fri- 
day  from  the  former,  reaching  the  latter  the  same  day ; from 
whence  a horse  could  be  hired  without  difficulty,  1 believe. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


O 


to  carry  you  to  my  house,  distant  9 miles.  I mention  these 
things  for  your  information,  in  case  you  should  determine  to 
go  there. 

If  you  resolve  to  meet  me  at  Mount  Yernon,  give  me  no- 
tice thereof  immediately ; and  if  business  or  any  other  cause 
should  render  it  impracticable  for  me  to  be  there,  at  the 
time,  I will  inform  you,  so  as  to  prevent  your  setting  out. — 

I informed  you  at  our  meeting,  that  I had  eight  or  ten 
Xegro  Carpenters  under  the  care  of  a worthless  White  man, 
whom  I had  forborn  to  turn  away  on  account  of  the  peculiar 
circumstances  attending  his  family ; — But  I suffer  so  much 
from  his  negligence ; — by  his  bad  qualities ; — and  bad  exam- 
ples ; that  I find  it  indispensably  necessary  to  get  some  other 
workman  to  supply  his  place. — If  it  should  be  your  lot  to  su- 
perintend my  affairs,  your  own  ease,  as  well  as  my  interest, 
would  induce  you  to  look  out  for  a successor  to  him,  against 
Xew  Years  day  ; — if  not,  and  you  could  recommend  a proper 
character  for  this  business,  it  would  be  rendering  me  an  accept- 
able service  to  do  it.  I am  Sir — 

Your  Serv^ 

G®  Washixgtox. 


II. 

^ Mount  Yernon,  Oct.’'  6^^,  1793. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Enclosed  is  a copy  of  our  agreement  with  my  signature  to 
it. — 

Since  you  were  here,  Mrs.  Washington  the  Widow  of  my 
Xephew,‘  who  formerly  lived  at  this  place,  has  resolved  as 

’ The  widow  of  George  Augustine  Washington  (m.  15  Oct.,  1785),  else- 
where in  these  letters  spoken  of  as  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington.  After  her 
husband’s  death  (Feb.  5,  1792)  Washington  invited  her  to  make  her  home  at 
Mount  Vernon.  She  became  the  second  wife  of  Washington's  Secretary, 
Tobias  Lear.  She  was  a daughter  of  Col.  Burwell  Bassett  and  Anna  Dan- 
dridge  (Mrs.  George  Washington’s  sister),  of  Eltham,  New  Kent  Co.,  Va. 
(Appendix  B.) 


6 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


soon  as  we  leave  it,  to  remove  to  her  Brother’s  in  the  lower 
part  of  this  State,  and  will  not,  I believe,  return  to  reside  at  it 
again. — This  will  make  it  more  convenient  and  agreeable, 
both  for  yourself  and  me,  that  you  should  live  the  Winter, 
at  least,  at  my  Mansion  house  ; as  it  will  allow  more  time  for 
my  carpenters  to  provide  for  Mr.  Crow,  and  to  put  the  place 
he  lives  at  in  better  repair  than  it  now  is  for  yourself,  if  there 
should  be  occasion  for  you  to  go  there  ; — and  this  too,  under 
your  own  inspection. — 

The  right  wing  to  my  dwelling  house  as  you  possibly  may 
have  noticed,  and  heard  called  the  Hall,  (being  kept  altogether 
for  the  use  of  Strangers)  has  two  good  rooms  below  (with  tiled 
floors)  and.  as  many  above,  all  wflth  Are  places. — This  will  ac- 
comodate your  family  (being  a larger  house)  better  than 
Crow’s ; and  by  being  here,  you  will  have  the  use  of  my 
Kitchen,  the  Cook  belonging  thereto,  Frank  the  House  Ser- 
vant, a boy  also  in  the  House. — The  Stable,  Garden,  &c^, 
without  any  additional  expence  tome; — at  the  same  time  that 
it  will,  by  placing  you  in  the  centre  of  the  business,  ease  you 
of  much  trouble ; for  otherwise,  the  frequent  calls  from  the 
Farms, — from  workmen  of  different  descriptions  for  Tools, 
Kails,  Iron,  &c^,  from  the  Store — and  the  particular  attention 
which  matters  ab^  the  Mansion  house  will  require,  would  have 
occasioned  you  many  an  inconvenient  ride  here,  the  necessity 
for  which  will  be  entirely  superceded,  as  your  mornings  and 
evenings  will,  of  course,  be  spent  where  your  presence  will 
be  most  wanting. — 

As  I am  never  sparing  (with  proper  geconomy)  in  furnish- 
ing my  Farms  with  any,  and  every  kind  of  Tool  and  imple- 
ment that  is  calculated  to  do  good  and  neat  work,  I not  only 
authorize  you  to  bring  the  kind  of  ploughs  you  were  speaking 
to  me  about,  but  any  others,  the  utility  of  which  you  have 
proved  from  your  own  experience ; — particularly  a kind  of 
hand  rake  which  Mr.  Stuart  tells  me  are  used  on  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Maryland  in  lieu  of  Hoes  for  Corn  at  a certain  stage 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


7 


of  its  growth — and  a Scythe  and  Cradle  different  from  those 
used  with  us,  and  with  which  the  grain  is  laid  much  better. — 
In  short  I shall  begrudge  no  reasonable  expence  that  will  con- 
tribute to  the  improvement  and  neatness  of  my  Farms  ; — for 
nothing  pleases  me  better  than  to  see  them  in  good  order, 
and  every  thing  trim,  handsome,  and  thriving  about  them  ; — 
nor  nothing  hurts  me  more  than  to  find  them  otherwise,  and 
the  tools  and  implements  laying  wherever  they  were  last  used, 
exposed  to  injuries  from  Rain,  sun,  &c^ — 

I hope  yon  will  endeavor  to  arrange  your  own  concerns  in 
such  a manner  as  to  be  here  as  much  before  the  time  agreed 
on  as  you  conveniently  can. — Great  advantages  to  me  will  re- 
sult from  this,  by  putting  the  business  in  a good  train  before 
the  Fall  operations  are  closed  by  the  frosts  of  Winter,  and  all 
improvements  are  thereby  at  an  end  for  that  season.  On  the 
other  hand,  inconveniences  to  yourself  may  arise  from  delay 
on  account  of  the  Weather — Navigation,  &c^ ; there  having 
been  instances  of  this  River’s  closing  with  Ice  several  days 
before  Christmas  which  might  prevent  the  removal  of  y’^ things 
in  time. — That  your  living  at  the  Mansion  may  be  attended 
with  no  more  expence  to  you  than  if  you  had  gone  to  the 
other  place  (at  which  Crow  now  lives)  on  account  of  Gentle- 
men, who  now  and  then  call  here  out  of  curiosity — as  they 
are  passing  through  the-^Country — I shall  lay  in  such  things 
as  W'ill  be  necessary  for  this  purpose,  and  the  occasions  (which 
are  but  rare)  may  require. — 

I expect  to  leave  this  place  about  the  28^^  of  the  Month  for 
Philadelphia,  or  the  neighbourhood  of  it ; any  letter  therefore 
which  shall  arrive  before  that  time  will  find  me  here — after- 
wards it  will  have  to  go  to  Philadelphia  where  it  had  better 
be  directed.* 

I am  your  fi-iend  and  Servant 

G®  AVashingtox. 

’ The  yellow  fever  was  raging  in  Philadelphia,  and  it  was  not  considered 
prudent  that  the  President  should  resume  his  abode  there. 


8 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


III. 

Mount  Vernon,  27*^^  Oct.  1793. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  19^^  came  duly  to  hand. — Tomorrow  I 
leave  this  for  Philadelp^  or  the  vicinity  of  it ; where,  when 
you  have  occasion  to  write  to  me,  direct  your  letters. — 

As  you  seemed  to  be  in  doubt  whether  a proper  character 
could  be  engaged  in  y®  part  of  the  Country  you  live  in,  to 
look  after  my  Negro  Carpenters  ; and  (having  much  work  to 
do  in  their  way,  and  not  being  willing  to  leave  matters  at  an 
uncertainty)  I have  engaged  the  person  who  superintends 
them  at  present  to  look  after  them  another  year. — He  is  a 
good  workman  himself,  and  can  be  active  ; but  has  little 
authority  (I  ought  to  have  said  command,  for  I have  given 
him  full  authority)  over  those  who  are  entrusted  to  him — 
and  as  he  is  fond  of  drink,  tho’  somewhat  reformed  in  this 
respect,  I place  no  great  confidence  in  him. — He  has,  how- 
ever, promised  so  to  conduct  himself,  as  that  there  shall  be 
no  cause  for  complaint — I thought  it  was  better,  therefore, 
to  engage  him,  than  to  run  any  hazard. — I have  engaged  no 
person  to  look  after  the  house  People,  Ditchers  &c*  in  place 
of  the  one  now  occupied  in  that  business  ; and  unless  a very 
active  and  spirited  man  could  be  had,  it  will  scarcely  be  es- 
sential while  you  reside  at  the  Mansion  house  yourself. — The 
old  Man  that  is  employed  in  this  business  is,  I believe,  hon- 
est, sober,  well  meaning,  and  in  some  things  knowing ; but 
he  wants  activity  and  spirit ; — and  from  not  being  accus- 
tomed to  Negros,  in  addition  thereto  ; they  are  under  no  sort 
of  awe  of  him — of  course  do  as  they  please. — His  wages  are 
low.  Twenty  pounds  p^  aim.  only — under  this  statement  of 
the  case  you  may  do  as  shall  seem  best  to  yourself. — If  he  is 
to  go,  he  ought  to  know  it  seasonably  : — his  time  is  up  at 
Christmas  ; and  nothing  betw"  us  has  past  either  as  to  his  go- 
ing, or  staying. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


9 


I shall,  before  you  remove,  or  by  the  time  you  may  arrive 
at  Mount  Vernon,  give  you  full  directions,  and  my  ideas 
upon  the  several  points  which  may,  between  this  and  then, 
occur  to  me. — In  all  things  else  you  must  pursue  your  own 
judgment — having  the  great  outlines  of  my  business  laid 
before  you. 

After  having  lived  the  ensuing  Winter  at  the  Mansion 
house  you  will  be  better  able  to  decide  than  at  the  present 
moment,  how  far  your  convenience,  my  interest,  and  indeed 
circumstances,  may  render  your  removal  to  the  other  place 
more  eligable. — I shall  readily  agree  to  either. — Materials  are 
now  providing  for  building  a house  for  Mr.  Crow  ; whose 
house  it  was  first  proposed  you  should  live  in,  for  him  to  re- 
move to. — There  are  a great  number  of  Negro  children  at  the 
Quarters  belonging  to  the  house  people ; but  they  have 
Always  been  forbid  (except  two  or  3 young  ones  belonging  to 
the  Cook,  and  the  Mulatto  fellow  Frank  in  the  house,  her 
husband  ; both  of  whom  live  in  the  Kitchen)  from  coming 
within  the  Gates  of  the  Inclosures  of  the  Yards,  Gardens 
Ac^ ; that  they  may  not  be  breaking  the  Shrubs,  and  doing 
other  mischief ; but  I believe  they  are  often  in  there  notwith- 
standing : — but  if  they  could  be  broke  of  the  practice  it 
would  be  very  agreeable  to  me,  as  they  have  no  business 
within  ; having  their  wood, Water,  &c^  at  their  own  doors 
without. — 

The  season  has  been  remarkably  sickly,  generally,  but  my 
family,  except  a few  slight  touches  of  the  intermittant  fever 
— chiefly  among  the  blacks — have  shared  less  of  it,  than  I 
find  from  report,  has  been  felt  in  most  other  places. — 

I am  Your  friend  &c*^ 

G°  Washington. 


10 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


ly. 

German  Town,  24*  Nov^  1793. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

On  my  way  to  this  place  (about  the  last  of  Oct^)  I lodged 
a letter  for  you  in  the  Post  Office  at  Baltimore,  which  I hope 
got  safe  to  your  hands,  although  I have  not  heard  from  you 
since. 

I shall  begin,  now,  to  throw  upon  Paper  such  general 
thoughts,  and  directions,  as  may  be  necessary  for  your  gov- 
ernment when  you  get  to  Mount  Yernon  ; and  for  fear  of 
accidents,  if  transmitted  to  you  thro’  any  other  channel,  will 
deposit  them  in  the  hands  of  my  l^ephew,  Mr.  Howell  Lewis, 
who  will  remain  (though  inconvenient  to  me)  at  that  place 
until  your  arrival  there ; that  he  may  put  you  in  possession, 
and  give  you  such  information  into  matters  as  may  be  use- 
ful.—’ 

As  my  farms  stand  much  in  need  of  manure,  and  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  raise  a sufficiency  of  it  on  them ; and  the  Land  be- 
sides requires  something  to  loosen  and  amelioi-ate  it,  I mean 
to  go  largely  (as  you  will  perceive  by  what  I shall  hand  to 
you  through  Mr.  Lewis)  upon  Buck  Wheat  as  a Green  ma- 
nure (Plowed  in,  when  full  in  blossom) — for  this  purpose  I 
have  requested  a Gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  in  the 
Countj^  of  Loudoun,  above  Mount  Yernon,  to  send  to  that 
place  in  time  450,  or  500  bushels  of  this  article  for  seed. — 
And  as  I do  not  wish  to  go  largely  upon  Corn,  it  is  necessary 
I should  sow  a good  many  Oats  ; — my  calculation  (allowing 
two  bushels  to  the  Acre)  is  about  400  bushels  wanting. — Not 

* Howell  (1771-1822)  was  11th,  and  youngest  child  of  Washington’s  only 
sister,  Betty,  second  wife  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis,  of  Kenmore,  Fredericks- 
burg. He  was  (1792)  the  President’s  Secretary.  He  married  Ellen  Hack- 
ley  Pollard,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  1795.  In  1812  he  went  to  reside  on  a tract 
of  1300  acres  on  the  Kanawha  (Mason  Co.)  inherited  under  Washington’s 
will.  (Appendix  A.) 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


11 


more  than  the  half  of  which  can  1 calculate  I have  of  my 
own,  for  Seed  next  Spring,  and  therefore  if  you  could  carry 
round  with  you  two  hundred,  or  even  300  bushels  to  be  cer- 
tain ; of  those  which  are  good  in  quality,  and  free  from 
Onions,  I will  readily  pay  for  them  and  the  accustomed 
freight. — That  I may  know  whether  to  depend  upon  doing 
this,  or  not,  write  me  word  ; that  in  case  of  failure  with  you, 
I may  try  to  obtain  them  through  some  other  channel. — 

I am  Your  friend  and  Servant 

G®  Washington. 


Y. 

Philadelphia  18*  Decern’"  1793. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  paper  enclosed  with  this  letter  wall  give  you  my  ideas, 
generally,  of  the  course  of  Crops  I wish  to  pursue. — I am 
sensible  more  might  be  made  from  the  farms  for  a year  or 
two — but  my  object  is  to  recover  the  fields  from  the  ex- 
hausted state  into  which  they  have  fallen,  by  oppressive 
crops,  and  to  restore  them  (if  possible  by  any  means  in  my 
power)  to  health  and  vigour. — But  two  ways  will  enable  me 
to  accomplish  this. — The  first  is  to  cover  them  wfith  as  much 
manure  as  possible  (winter  and  summer). — The  2^*  a judicious 
succession  of  Crops. 

Manure  can  not  be  had  in  the  abundance  the  fields  re- 
quire ; for  this  reason,  and  to  open  the  land  which  is  hard 
bound  by  frequent  cultivation  and  want  of  proper  dressings, 
I have  introduced  Buck  Wheat  in  the  plentiful  manner  you 
will  perceive  by  the  Table,  both  as  a manure,  and  as  a sub- 
stitute for  Indian  Corn  for  horses  &c*;  it  being  a great 
arneliorater  of  the  soil. — How  far  the  insufferable  conduct  of 
my  Overseers,  or  the  difficulty  of  getting  Buck  Wheat  and 
Oats  for  seed,  wfill  enable  me  to  carry  my  plan  into  effect,  I 
am  unable  at  this  moment  to  decide. — You,  possibly,  will  be 
better  able  to  inform  me  sometime  hence. — Cok  Ball  of 


12 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Leesbiirgli  ‘ has  promised  to  use  liis  endeavours  to  procure 
and  send  the  first  to  Mount  Yernon;  but  whereto  get  as 
much  of  the  latter  as  will  answer  my  purposes  (unless  I send 
them  from  this  city)  I know  not ; but  before  I can  decide  on 
the  quantity  it  may  be  necessary  for  me  to  purchase,  it  is  es- 
sential I should  know  the  quantity  grown  on  my  own  estate  ; 
and  which  after  I went  to  Virginia  in  September  last  I di- 
rected should  no  longer  be  fed  away. — The  common  Oats 
which  are  brought  from  the  Eastern  Shore  to  Alexandria  for 
sale,  I would  not  sow — first,  because  they  are  not  of  a good 
quality — and  2^^^^  because  they  are  rarely,  if  ever,  free  from 
Garlick  and  wild  Onions:  with  which,  unfortunately,  many 
of  my  fields  are  already  but  too  plentifully  stocked  from  the 
source  already  mentioned  ; and  that  too  before  I was  aware 
of  the  evil. 

I have  already  said  that  the  insufferable  conduct  of  my 
Overseers  may  be  one  mean  of  frustrating  my  plan  for  the 
next  year. — I will  now  explain  myself. — You  will  readily  per- 
ceive by  the  rotation  of  Crops  I have  adopted,  that  a great 
deal  of  Fall  plowing  is  indispensible. — Of  this  I informed 
every  one  of  them,  and  pointed  out  the  fields  which  were  to 
be  plowed  at  this  season. — So  anxious  was  I,  that  this  work 
should  be  set  about  early,  that  I made  an  attempt  soon  after 
you  were  at  Mount  Yernon  in  September,  to  begin  it ; and 
at  several  times  afterwards  repeated  the  operation  in  differ- 
ent fields  at  Dogue-run  farm  ; ^ — but  the  ground  being  exces- 
sively hard  and  dry,  I found  that  to  persevere  would  only  de- 
stroy my  horses  without  effecting  the  object,  in  the  manner  it 
ought  to  be,  and  therefore  I quit  it ; but  left  positive  direc- 
tions that  it  should  recommence  at  every  farm  as  soon  as  ever 


^ Col.  Burgess  Ball,  of  the  revolution,  was,  like  Washington  a great-grand- 
son of  the  immigrant,  William  Ball,  who  came  to  Virginia  in  1650,  and  died 
in  1669.  Col.  Burgess  Ball  (son  of  Jeduthan  Ball)  married  Frances,  dau. 
of  Washington’s  brother  Charles.  Appendix  C. 

‘^More  than  1|  miles  N.  W.  from  Mount  Vernon  Mansion. 


AXD  MOUNT  VERNON 


13 


there  should  come  rain  to  moysten  the  earth — and  to  stick 
constantly  at  it,  except  when  the  horses  were  employed  in 
treading  out  Wheat  (which  was  a work  I also  desired  might 
be  accomplished  as  soon  as  possible). — Instead  of  doing  either 
of  these,  as  I ordered,  I find  by  the  reports,  that  M^Koy  has, 
now  and  then,  plowed  a few  days  only  as  if  it  were  for  amuse- 
ment.—That  Stuart  ^ has  but  just  begun  to  do  it. — And  that 
neither  Crow  ' nor  Davy  * at  Muddy-hole,  had  put  a plow  into 
the  ground  so  late  as  the  7^^  of  this  month. — Can  it  be  expect- 
ed then,  that  frosts.  Snow  and  Dain  will  permit  me  to  do  much 
of  this  kind  of  work  before  March  or  April  ? When  Corn 
planting.  Oats  sowing,  and  Buck  Wifi  for  manure,  ought  to 
be  going  into  the  gr^,  in  a well  prepared  state,  instead  of 
having  it  to  fiush  up  at  that  season — and  when  a good  deal 
of  Wheat  is  to  be  got  out  with  the  same  horses. — Crow  hav- 
ing got  out  none  of  his  that  was  stacked  in  the  field,  nor 
Stuart^  and  M^Koy^  much  of  theirs,  which  is  in  the  same 
predicament ; — the  excuse  being,  as  far  as  it  is  communicated 
to  me,  that  their  whole  time  and  force  since  the  month  of 
October  has  been  employed  in  securing  their  Corn — When 
God  knows  little  enough  of  that  article  will  be  made. 

I am  the  more  particular  on  this  head  for  two  reasons — 
first  to  let  you  see  how  little  dependence  there  is  on  such 
men  when  left  to  themsMves  (for  under  Mr.  Lewis  it  was  very 
little  better) — and  2*^^  to  show  you  the  necessity  of  keeping 
these  Overseers  strictly  to  their  duty — that  is — to  keep  them 
from  running  about,  and  to  oblige  them  to  remain  constantly 
with  their  people ; — and  moreover,  to  see  at  what  time  they 
turn  out  of  a morning — for  I have  strong  suspicions  that  this, 
with  some  of  them,  is  at  a late  hour,  the  consequence  of  which 
to  the  Xegroes  is  not  difficult  to  foretell. — All  these  Overseers 
as  you  will  perceive  by  their  agreements,  which  I herewith 
send,  are  on  standing  wages ; and  this  with  men  who  are 


* White  overseers. 


* Colored  overseer. 


14: 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


not  actuated  by  the  principles  of  honor  or  honesty,  and  not 
very  regardful  of  their  characters,  leads  naturally  to  endul- 
gences — as  their  profits,  whatever  may  be  mine^  are  the  same 
whether  they  are  at  a horse  race  or  on  the  farm — whether 
they  are  entertaining  company  (which  I believe  is  too  much 
the  case)  in  their  own  houses,  or  are  in  the  field  with  the 
Negroes. 

Having  given  you  these  ideas,  I shall  now  add,  that  if  you 
find  any  one  of  them  inattentive  to  the  duties  which  by  the 
articles  of  agreement  they  are  bound  to  perform,  or  such 
others  as  may  reasonably  be  enjoined, — Admonish  them  in  a 
calm,  but  firm  manner  of  the  consequences. — If  this  proves 
ineffectual,  discharge  them,  at  any  season  of  the  year  without 
scruple  or  hesitation,  and  do  not  pay  them  a copper ; — putting 
the  non-compliance  wdth  their  agreem^  in  bar. 

To  treat  them  civilly  is  no  more  than  what  all  men  are  en- 
titled to,  but,  my  advice  to  you  is,  to  keep  them  at  a proper 
distance ; for  they  will  grow  upon  familiarity,  in  proportion 
as  you  will  sink  in  authority,  if  you  do  not. — Pass  by  no 
faults  or  neglects  (especially  at  first)  for  overlooking  one  only 
serves  to  generate  another,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
some  of  them  (one  in  particular)  will  try,  at  first,  what  lengths 
he  may  go. — A steady  and  firm  conduct,  with  an  inquisitive 
inspection  into,  and  a proper  arrangement  of  everything  on 
your  part,  will,  though  it  may  give  more  trouble  at  first,  save 
a great  deal  in  the  end — and  you  may  rest  assured  that  in 
everything  that  is  just,  and  proper  to  be  done  on  your  part, 
[you]  shall  meet  wfith  the  fullest  support  on  mine. — Nothing 
will  contribute  more  to  effect  these  desirable  purposes  than  a 
good  example — unhappily  this  was  not  set  (from  what  I have 
learnt  lately)  by  Mr.  Whiting,  who,  it  is  said,  drank  freely — 
kept  bad  company  at  my  house  and  in  Alexandria — and  was 
a very  debauched  person — wherever  this  is  the  case  it  is  not 
easy  for  a man  to  throw  the  first  stone  for  fear  of  having  it 
returned  to  him ; — and  this  I take  to  be  the  true  cause  why 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


15 


Mr.  Whiting  did  not  look  more  scrupulously  into  the  conduct 
of  the  Overseers,  and  more  minutely  into  the  smaller  matters 
belonging  to  the  Farms — which,  though  individually  [they] 
may  be  trifling,  are  not  found  so  in  the  agregate ; for  there 
is  no  addage  more  true  than  an  old  Scotch  one,  that  many 
mickles  make  a muckle.’^ 

I have  had  but  little  opportunity  of  forming  a correct 
opinion  of  my  white  Overseers,  but  such  observations  as  I 
have  made  I will  give. 

Stuart  appears  to  me  to  understand  the  business  of  a farm 
very  well,  and  seems  attentive  to  it. — He  is  I believe  a sober 
man,  and  according  to  his  own  account  a very  honest  one. — 
As  I never  found  him  (at  the  hours  I usually  visited  the  farm) 
absent  from  some  part  or  another  of  his  people,  I presume 
he  is  industrious,  and  seldom  from  home. — He  is  talkative, 
has  a high  opinion  of  his  own  skill  and  management — and 
seems  to  live  in  peace  and  harmony  with  the  Hegroes  who 
are  conflded  to  his  care. — He  speaks  extremely  well  of  them, 
and  I have  never  heard  any  complaint  of  him. — His  work 
however,  has  been  behind  hand  all  the  year,  owing  he  says, 
and  as  I believe,  to  his  having  too  much  plowing  to  do — and 
the  last  omission,  of  not  plowing  when  he  knew  my  motives 
for  wishing  it,  has  been  extremely  reprehensible — But  upon 
the  whole,  if  he  stirs  "early,  and  works  late,  I have  no  other 
fault  to  find  than  the  one  I have  just  mentioned — His  talk- 
ativeness and  vanity  may  be  humoured. 

Crow  is  an  active  man,  and  not  deficient  in  judgment. — If 
kept  strictly  to  his  duty  would,  in  many  respects,  make  a good 
Overseer. — But  I am  much  mistaken  in  his  character,  if  he  is 
not  fond  of  visiting,  and  receiving  visits. — This,  of  course, 
withdraws  his  attention  from  his  business,  and  leaves  his 
people  too  much  to  themselves;  which  produces  idleness,  or 
slight  work  on  one  side,  and  flogging  on  the  other — the  last 
of  which  besides  the  dissatisfaction  which  it  creates,  has,  in 
one  or  two  instances  been  productive  of  serious  consequences 


16 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


— I am  not  clear  either,  that  he  gives  that  due  attention  to 
his  Plow  horses  and  other  stock  which  is  necessary,  although 
he  is  very  fond  of  riding  the  former — not  only  to  Alexandria 
&c^  but  about  the  farm,  which  I did  not  forbid  as  his  house 
was  very  inconvenient  to  the  scene  of  his  business. — 

M^'Koy  appears  to  me  to  be  a -sickly,  slothful  and  stupid 
fellow. — He  had  many  more  hands  than  were  necessary  merely 
for  his  Crop,  and  though  not  70  acres  of  Corn  to  cultivate, 
did  nothing  else. — In  short  to  level  a little  dirt  that  was  taken 
out  of  the  Meadow  ditch  below  his  house  seems  to  have  com- 
posed the  principal  part  of  his  Fall  work;  altho’  no  finer 
season  could  have  happened  for  preparing  the  second  lot  of 
the  Mill  swamp  for  the  purpose  of  laying  it  to  grass. — If 
more  exertion  does  not  appear  in  him  when  he  gets  into  better 
health  he  will  be  found  an  unfit  person  to  overlook  so  im- 
portant a farm,  especially  as  I have  my  doubts  also  of  his 
care  and  attention  to  the  horses  &c^. 

As  to  Butler,  you  will  soon  be  a judge  whether  he  will  be 
of  use  to  you  or  not. — He  may  mean  well,  and  for  ought  I 
know  to  the  contrary  may,  in  some  things  have  judgment; 
but  I am  persuaded  he  has  no  more  authority  over  the  Ne- 
groes he  is  placed,  than  an  old  woman  would  have ; and  is 
as  unable  to  get  a proper  day’s  Work  done  by  them  as  she 
would,  unless  led  to  it  by  their  own  inclination  w®^  I know  is 
not  the  case. — 

Davy  at  Muddy- hole  ^ carries  on  his  business  as  well  as  the 
White  Overseers,  and  with  more  quietness  than  any  of  them. 
— With  proper  directions  he  will  do  very  well ; and  probably 
give  you  less  trouble  than  any  of  them,  except  in  attending 
to  his  care  of  the  stock,  of  which  I fear  he  is  negligent ; as 
there  are  deaths  too  frequent  among  them. — 

Thomas  Green  (Overlooker  of  the  Carpenters)  will,  I am 
persuaded,  require  your  closest  attention,  without  which  I be- 


A farm  about  360  poles  N.  of  Mount  Vernon  mansion. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


17 


lieve  it  will  be  impossible  to  get  any  work  done  by  my  [N’egro 
Carpenters — in  the  first  place,  because,  it  has  not  been  in  my 
power,  when  I am  away  from  home,  to  keep  either  him,  or 
them  to  any  settled  work  ; but  they  will  be  fiying  from  one 
trifling  thing  to  another,  with  no  other  design,  I believe,  than 
to  have  the  better  opportunity  to  be  idle,  or  to  be  employed  on 
their  own  business — and  in  the  next  place,  because — although 
authority  is  given  to  him — he  is  too  much  upon  a level  with 
the  Negroes  to  exert  it ; from  which  cause,  if  no  other  every 
one  works,  or  not,  as  they  please ; and  carve  out  such  jobs  as 
they  like. — I had  no  doubt  when  I left  home  the  28*^  of  Oct. 
but  that  the  house  intended  for  Crow  w*^  have  been  nearly 
finished  by  this  time,  as  in  order  to  facilitate  the  execution  I 
bought  Scantling,  Plank  and  Shingles  for  the  building ; in- 
stead of  this  I do  not  perceive  by  his  weekly  report  that  a 
tool  has  yet  been  employed  in  it — nor  can  I find  out  by  the 
said  report  that  the  Barn  at  Dogue-run  is  in  much  greater 
forwardness  than  when  I left  it. 

To  correct  the  abuses  which  have  crept  into  all  parts  of  my 
business — to  arrange  it  properly,  and  to  reduce  things  to  sys- 
tem ; will  require,  I am  sensible,  a good  deal  of  time  and 
your  utmost  exertions  ; — of  the  last,  from  the  character  you 
bear,  I entertain  no  doubt ; the  other,  I am  willing  to  allow, 
because  I had  rather  you  should  probe  things  to  the  bottom, 
whatever  time  it  may  require  to  do  it,  than  to  decide  hastily 
upon  the  first  view  of  them  ; as  to  establish  good  rules,  and 
a regular  system,  is  the  life,  and  the  soul  of  every  kind  of 
business. — 

These  (rest  of  letter  missing). 

YI. 

Philadelphia  Dec’'  1793. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  letter  which  I wrote  to  you  on  the  18^  and  the  papers 
therein  enclosed  with  the  Plans  of  the  several  farms  (which 
2 


18 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Mr.  Lewis  was  directed  to  leave  with  you)  were  designed  to 
give  you  a general  view  of  the  business  entrusted  to  your 
care. — I shall  now,  as  intimated  in  that  letter,  give  you  my 
sentiments  on  many  other  matters  of  a more  particular  nat- 
ure.— 

Among  the  first  things  to  be  done  after  you  are  well  fixed 
yourself,  will  be,  I presume,  that  of  taking  an  exact  account 
of  the  Stock  of  every  species — Tools — and  implements  on 
each  of  the  farms  : — -charging  them  therewith  ; that  a regular 
account  thereof  may  be  rendered  whenever  called  for. — Buy 
in  Alexandria  a proper  (bound)  book  for  this  purpose,  and 
another  to  enter  the  weekly  reports  in. — The  latter  is  re- 
quired not  only  for  my  present  satisfaction,  but  that  it  may 
also,  at  any  time  hereafter  shew  in  what  manner  the  hands 
have  been  employed ; and  the  state  of  the  Stock  and  other 
things  at  any  past  period ; and  it  is  my  wish,  as  this  is  in- 
tended as  a register  of  the  proceedings  on  the  farms,  that  they 
may  be  made  with  correctness ; — always  comparing  the  last, 
with  the  preceeding  weeks  report  and  all  differences  satis- 
factorily accounted  for. — The  Overseers  are  allowed  paper 
for  these  Beports.  Suffer  no  excuse  therefore  for  their  not 
coming  in  to  you  every  Saturday  night,  that  you  may  be  en- 
abled to  forward  a copy  of  them  to  me  by  the  Wednesday’s 
Post  following. — And  as  it  is  not  only  satisfactory,  but  may 
be  of  real  utility,  to  know  the  state  of  the  weather  as  to  heat 
and  cold,  but  drought  or  moisture ; prefix,  as  usual,  at  the 
head  of  every  Weeks  report  a Meteorological  account  of 
these; — The  Thermometer  which  is  at  Mount  Yernon  will 
enable  you  to  do  the  first. — 

The  work  essentially  necessary  to  be  done  by  my  Carpen- 
ters, and  which  presses  most — is — compleating  the  Xew  Barn 
at  Dogue  Bun,  and  the  sheds  there  for  horses  &c^ — building 
the  house  for  Crow — Bepairing  my  house  in  Alexandria  for 
Mrs.  Fanny  Washington — which  must  be  done  before  the  first 
of  May — Inclosing  the  lot  on  which  it  stands  for  a Garden  or 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


19 


Yard. — Eepairing  the  Millers  house. — Eemoving  the  larger 
kind  of  tlie  ^^"egro  quarters  (the  smaller  ones  or  cabbins,  I pre- 
sume the  people  with  a little  assistance  of  Carts  can  do  them- 
selves) to  the  ground  marked  out  for  them  opposite  to  Crow’s 
Xew  house. — Eepairing  at  a proper  time  those  he  will  remove 
from. — Lending  aid  in  drawing  the  houses  at  Eiver  farm  into 
some  uniform  shape,  in  a convenient  place. — Eepairing  the 
Barn  and  Stables  at  Muddj-hole. — Compleating  the  Dormant 
Windows  in  the  back  of  the  Stable  at  Mansion  house  and 
putting  two  in  the  front  of  it  agreeably  to  directions  already 
given  to  Thomas  Green — after  which,  and  perhaps  doing 
some  other  things  which  do  not  occur  to  me  at  this  moment, 
my  intention  is  to  build  a large  Barn,  and  sheds  for  Stables 
upon  the  plan  of  that  at  Dogue  Eun  (if,  on  trial  it  should  be 
found  to  answer  the  expectation  w^^^  is  formed  of  it)  at  Eiver 
Farm. — 

I give  you  this  detail  of  Carpenters  wmrk,  that  by  having 
the  subject  before  you  in  a collected  view,  you  may  be  the 
better  able  to  direct  the  execution ; and  to  prevent  Green 
from  flying  from  one  thing  to  another  without  order  or  sys- 
tem ; — and  Then  by  judging  wdiether  he  carries  it  on  wdth 
that  dispatch  and  judgment  which  is  necessary. 

As  you  know  my  anxiety  with  respect  to  the  substitution 
of  live  fences  in  placej^f  dead  ones  (as  soon,  and  as  fast  as 
the  nature  of  things  will  admit)  I should  not  again  mention 
it,  were  it  not  that  this  is  the  season  for  saving  the  Haws  of 
the  thorn — Berries  from  the  Cedar  trees — and  such  things 
as  are  flt  for  the  purpose  of  hedging  ; — and  to  prevent  trim- 
ming the  Lombardy  Poplar  and  Willows,  that  the  cuttings 
may  be  applied  to  this  use — for  as  these  two  last  are  of  very 
quick  growth,  I am  of  opinion  fences  might  soon  be  raised 
by  means  of  them,  that  will  be  competent  against  every  thing 
but  Hogs,  whilst  those  of  slower  growth  may  be  coming  on 
to  supply  their  places ; — and  whether  it  is  not  better  to  raise 
Porke  in  styes,  is  a matter  worthy  of  serious  consideration — 


20 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


for  I believe  bj  the  common  mode  I never  get  the  half  of 
what  is  raised  by  the  Sows ; especially  if  they  are  kept  in 
good  order ; — to  do  which  is  attended  with  no  small  expence, 
and  to  have  them  stolen  afterw*^®  is  vexations. 

When  I left  home,  Davy  at  Muddy  hole  had  finished  get- 
ting out  his  Wheat,  and  had  nothing  but  the  security  of  his 
Corn  and  some  fencing,  to  employ  his  people  about,  during 
the  fall  and  Winter — I was  induced  from  this  consideration, 
and  the  anxious  desire  I have  to  reclaim,  and  lay  to  grass — 
my  mill  swamp,  to  order  him  to  give  all  the  aid  he  could  to 
McKoy  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  work  but  it  really  ap- 
pears to  me  that  the  fall,  fine  as  it  has  proved,  has  actually 
been  spent  About  I know  not  what. — What  can  be  done  with 
those  swamps,  must  now  be  left  to  you — and  the  state  the 
weather  will  put  them  in. — My  hope,  and  expectation  once, 
was,  that  the  second  lot  might  have  been  laid  to  grass  next 
spring  if  not  this  Fall,  and  that  the  one  above  it,  would  have 
been  ditched — grubbed — and  planted  in  Corn — but  as  the 
matter  now  stands,  you  must  be  governed  by  circumstances 
and  your  own  view  of  the  case ; with  this  caution,  not  to 
undertake  in  this,  or  in  any  thing  else,  more  than  you  can 
accomplish  well ; — recollecting  always,  that  a thing  but  half 
done  is  never  done ; — and  well  done,  is,  in  a manner  done  for 
ever. — 

At  McKoys,  I staked  out  two  Clover  lots  adjoining  the 
Barn  yard,  and  gave  him  and  Tom  Davis  (who  was  present) 
my  ideas  respecting  them. — The  sooner  these  can  be  in- 
closed— especially  that  on  the  West  side,  next  the  Wood — 
the  better ; as  it  is  my  wish  to  plough  it  this  fall,  and  plant 
Potatoes  therein  in  the  Spring. — Serving  that  on  the  East 
side  of  the  Barn  in  like  manner  next  year — and  the  spot 
which  was  in  oats,  adjoining  thereto  the  year  following. — It 
is  my  intention  also,  to  run  a lane  from  the  first  Gate  you 
enter  going  into  this  Farm  up  to  the  Barn  yard — and  another 
lane  from  the  Wood  to  4 across  the  Meadow,  and  between 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


21 


fields  3 and  5. — I do  not  expect  that  all  these  things  can 
be  accomplished  in  a moment — but  having  them  in  your 
view  at  the  same  time  you  will  know  better  how  to  pro- 
ceed. — As  the  Wood  in  5 will  be  to  be  cleared  when  that 
field  comes  into  Corn,  it  will  be  proper  that  all  the  Timber, 
Rails  and  Wood  that  is  w^anted  on  the  farm,  should  be  taken 
from  hence  as  far  as  it  will  go — and  cut  with  an  eye  to  this 
event. 

One  of  the  Grass  lots  at  Muddy  hole,  the  South  western 
one  (pointed  out  to  Davy)  ought  to  be  plowed  up  this  fall, 
and  planted  with  Potatoes  in  the  Spring. — And  at  Union 
farm  it  is  intended  to  take  of  four  five  acre  lots  from  field 
X®  2,  directly  in  front  of  the  Barn  as  will  appear  more  clearly 
by  the  sketch  herewith  enclosed — The  lots  marked  1 and  2 

in  which,  should  be  sowed  in  Feb.  7,  or  beginning  of  March 
with  clover  seed  on  the  Wheat. — At  the  River  farm  ^ I pro- 
pose three  lots  for  Grass,  South  of  the  lane  in  front  of  the 
Barn,  as  you  will  perceive  by  another  sketch  also  enclosed. — 
What  will  be  done  with  the  ground  between  the  Barn  at  that 
place  and  ]S^®  6 when  the  fence  comes  to  be  run  there,  is 
left  to  yourself  to  decide,  after  taking  a full  view  of  things 
and  seeing  what  the  force  is  competent  to  in  fencing  (of 
which  much  is  wanting)  && — Stuart  wished  much  for  an- 
other fellow  at  this  place,  and  as  that  boy  Cyrus,  at  Man- 
sion house,  is  now  nearly  a Man,  and  very  unfit  I believe 
to  be  entrusted  with  horses,  whose  feed,  there  is  strong  sus- 
picions he  steals,  I have  no  objection  to  your  sending  there — 
nor  indeed  have  I any  to  your  disposing  of  any  of  the  others, 
differently  from  what  they  are,  after  you  have  taken  time  to 
consider  what  arrangements  can  be  made  for  the  best,  and 
most  advantageous  purposes. — Thomas  Davis  and  Muclus 
must  however  be  considered  as  among  the  tradesmen  ; and 
wRen  not  employed  in  making  and  laying  of  Bricks  and  other 

’ Across  Little  Hunting  Creek,  and  about  300  poles  E.  of  Mount  Vernon 
Mansion,  Sketches,  and  rotation  system,  follow  these  letters. 


22 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


jobs  in  that  way,  may  be  aiding  the  Carpenters. — And  the 
fellow  called  Muddy  hole  Will,  as  he  has  for  many  years 
been  a kind  of  Overseer,  had  better  remain  in  his  present 
station; — with  respect  to  the  rest,  I have  no  choice  about 
them. — 

There  is  nothing  which  stands  in  greater  need  of  regula- 
tion than  the  Waggons  and  Carts  at  the  Mansion  House,  which 
always  whilst  I was  at  home  appeared  to  me  to  be  most 
wretchedly  employed — first  in  never  carrying  half  a load  ; — 
2'^’^  in  fiying  from  one  thing  to  another ; — and  thirdly  in  no 
person  seeming  to  know  what  they  really  did ; and  often  times 
under  pretence  of  doing  this,  that,  and  the  other  thing,  did 
nothing  at  all  ; — or  what  was  tantamount  to  it. — that  is — in- 
stead of  bringing  in,  or  carrying  to  any  place,  full  loads,  and 
so  many  of  them  in  a day;  the  Waggon,  or  a Cart,  under 
pretence  of  drawing  Wood,  or  carrying  Staves  to  the  Mill* 
w^  go  to  the  places  from  whence  they  were  to  be  taken,  and 
go  to  sleep  perhaps ; and  return  with  not  more  than  half  a 
load. — Frequently  have  I seen  a Cart  go  from  the  Mansion 
house,  or  from  the  river  side  to  the  new  Barn  with  little  or 
no  more  lime  or  sand  in  it,  than  a man  would  carry  on  his 
back — the  consequence  of  this  was  that  the  Brick  layers  were 
half  their  time  idle ; for  it  required  no  more  time  to  make 
the  trip  with  a full  load  than  it  did  with  half  a load — of 
course,  double  the  q^  would  be  transported  under  good  reg- 
ulation. 

You  will  perceive  by  my  agreem*^  with  Elder,  the  Gardener, 
that  he  and  his  wife  were  to  eat  of  the  Victuals  that  went 
from  my  Table  (in  the  Cellar)  instead  of  having  it  Cooked  by 
his  wife  as  had  been  the  custom  with  them. — At  the  time 
that  agreement  was  made  I kept  a Table  for  Mrs.  Fanny 
Washington,  but  as  she  has  resolved  to  live  in  Alexandria, 
this  will  no  longer  be  kept  up  ; and  therefore  it  would  be  best 

' At  the  head  of  Dogue  Creek  (as  distinguished  from  the  “ Run  ’’)  a mile 
N.  W.  of  the  Mansion. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


23 


I should  conceive,  to  let  them  return  to  their  old  mode,  and 
for  the  young  Gardener  to  eat  with  them — but  as  the  agree- 
ment is  otherwise  I would  not  force  this  upon  them,  unless 
it  was  their  own  choice — especially  if  Butler  remains  there, 
for  in  that  case  as  Lucy  (the  Cook)  must  get  Victuals  for  him, 
it  will  make  but  little  difference  whether  she  gets  for  one 
or  more ; you  will  therefore  do  what  seems  best,  and  most 
agreeable  in  this  matter  taking  care  that  they  have  a suffi- 
ciency without  waste,  or  misapplication — 1 am  very  willing 
to  allow  them  enough,  and  of  such  provisions,  day  by  day,  as 
is  wholesome  and  good,  but  no  more — they  have,  each  of 
them  been  allowed  a bottle  of  Beer  a day — and  this  must  be 
continued  to  them— that  is  a quart  each,  for  when  I am  from 
home  the  Beer  will  not  be  bottled  though  it  may  be  brewed 
as  the  occasion  requires — The  Gardener  has  too  great  a pro- 
pensity to  drink,  and  behaves  improperly  when  in  liquor ; — 
admonish  him  against  it  as  much  as  you  can,  as  he  behaves 
well  when  sober — understands  his  business — and  I believe  is 
not  naturally  idle — but  only  so  when  occasioned  by  drink — 
His  wife  has  been  put  in  charge  of  the  spinners — that  is,  to 
deliver  out  the  Wool  and  flax,  and  receive  the  thread,  yarn 
cfec\ — she  seems  well  disposed,  but  how  far  she  is  worthy  of 
trust,  or  is  capable  of  having  the  work  done  properly,  you 
will  be  better  able  to  judge  after  a while,  than  I am  now. — 
Method,  in  all  these  things,  is  desirable,  and  after  it  is  once 
adopted,  and  got  into  a proper  train  things  will  work  easy. — 

Do  not  suffer  the  Quarter  J^egro  children  to  be  in  the 
Kitchen,  or  in  the  yards  unless  brought  there  on  business — as 
besides  the  bad  habit — they  too  frequently  are  breaking  limbs, 
or  twigs  from,  or  doing  other  injury  to  my  Shrubs — some  of 
which  at  a considerable  expence,  have  been  propagated.* — 

• “We  viewed  the  gardens  and  walks,  which  are  very  elegant,  abounding 
with  many  curiosities.  Fig-trees,  raisins,  limes,  oranges,  etc.,  large  English 
mulberries,  artichokes,  etc.”— Amariah  Frost’s  narrative  of  a day  at  Mount 
Vernon,  in  1797,  privately  printed  by  Hon.  Hamilton  B.  Staples. 


24 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


From  some  complaints  made  by  my  [N’egroes,  that  they 
bad  not  a sufficient  allowance  of  meal,  and  from  a willingness 
that  they  should  have  enough,  the  quantity  was  increased  by 
Mr.  Whiting  so  as  to  amount  (by  what  I have  learnt  from 
Mr.  Stuart)  to  profusion. — This  is  an  error  again  on  the  other 
side — My  wish  and  desire  is  that  they  should  have  as  much 
as  they  can  eat  without  waste  and  no  more. — Under  these 
Ideas  I request  you  would  examine  into  this  matter  and  regu- 
late their  allowance  upon  just  principles. — I always  used  to 
lay  in  a great  quantity  of  Fish  for  them — and  when  we  were 
at  home  Meat,  fat,  and  other  things  were  now  and  then  given 
to  them  besides : — But  it  would  seem  (from  their  acc^'’  at 
least)  that  the  Fish  which  were  laid  in  for  them  last  spring 
have  disappeared  without  then*  deriving  much  benefit  from 
them. — 

By  this  time  I expect  the  Hogs  that  were  put  up  for  Porke, 
either  are  killed — or  are  fit  to  kill. — I request,  after  every 
person  has  had  their  allowance  given  to  them,  that  the  residue 
may  be  made  into  Bacon,  and  due  attention  given  to  it ; for 
all  most  every  year,  since  we  left  home,  half  of  it  or  more, 
has  been  spoilt — either  for  want  of  salt,  or  want  of  proper 
attention  in  smoking  it ; if  not  spoiled  in  the  pickle. — Davy 
at  Muddy  hole,  has  always  had  two  or  three  hund*^  weight  of 
Porke  given  to  him  at  killing  time,  and  I believe  the  Insides 
of  the  Hogs — that  is — the  Hastlets,  Guts  (after  the  fat  is 
stripped  off)  &c^  is  given  among  the  other  Hegroes  at  the 
different  places. — 

After  the  drilled  Wheat  at  Union  farm  ^ is  taken  off,  let 
particular  care  be  used  to  prevent  its  being  mixed  with  any 
other  ; as,  if  it  answers  the  character  given  of  it,  it  will  be  a 
great  acquisition, — That,  and  the  drilled  wheat  at  Stuarts  are 
of  the  same  kind,  and  were  sown  in  drills  that  the  ground 
might  be  worked  whilst  it  was  growing,  and  the  most  made 


’ 140  poles  W,  of  Mount  Vernon  mansion. 


AXD  ilOUXT  VERXOX. 


25 


of  it  that  can  be. — Whether  to  sow  the  ground  which  is  at 
Union  farm  (in  this  Wheat)  with  Buck  Wheat  and  grass 
Seeds  immediately  after  harvest  or  with  Buck  Wheat  alone 
to  be  plowed  in  for  Wanure  and  grass  seeds  afterwards  I 
shall  leave  to  you  to  decide. — I shall  want  all  the  ground 
within  that  Inclosure  laid  down  with  grass  and  leave  the 
manner  of  doing  it  to  you. — And  as  the  other  parts  within 
the  same  Inclosure— as  also  in  that  of  McKoys,  was  sown  very 
late  in  the  fall  with  grass  seeds  pray  examine  them  atten- 
tively, from  time  to  time,  and  if  you  shall  be  of  opinion  that 
the  Seed  is  not  come  well,  or  is  too  thin,  sprinkle  as  much 
more  over  it  as  you  shall  deem  necessary,  as  I am  very 
anxious  to  have  them  well  taken,  and  without  delay  with 
grass. — The  Wheat  fields  at  Dogue-run  are  to  be  sown  in  the 
Month  of  February  or  March  with  grass  Seeds — Xo.  3 with 
Clover  alone — The  other  with  Clover  and  Timothy  or  Clover 
and  Orchard  grass  mixed,  as  it  is  intended  to  be  laid  to 
Grass. — 

It  is  indispensably  necessary  that  the  alteration  marked 
out  in  the  Mill  Bace  should  be  accomplished  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible— because  the  waste  of  W ater  in  the  old  part  (which 
it  avoids)  is  more  than  can  be  afforded  except  at  times  of  the 
greatest  plenty — and  2*^^  because  I am  at  more  expence  and 
trouble  in  repairing  (after  every  heavy  rain)  the  breaches,  in 
the  part  that  will  be  thrown  out,  than  in  digging  the  new. — 
There  is  another  job  that  is  essential  ; and  that  is,  to  make 
the  Post  and  Bail  fence  from  the  Millers  house  up  to  the 
trunnel  fence  which  runs  across  the  meadow, — or  to  the  next 
cross  fence,  if  that  lot  is  cultivated  next  year  of  such  stout 
and  strong  materials  and  of  such  a height  as  to  bid  defiance 
to  trespassers  of  every  kind,  among  w^^*’  tlie  woi-thless  people 
who  live  near  it  are  the  worst  as  I am  satisfied  they  give 
every  aid  in  their  power  which  can  be  done  without  discov- 
erv  to  let  in  their  TIogs — The  whole  of  this  outer  fence,  will 
be,  I am  sure,  to  be  done  anew  ; but  it  can  only  be  accom- 


26 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


plished  by  degrees — but  let  that  which  is  done,  be  corn- 
pleated  effectually  as  well  by  a good  and  sufficient  ditch  as  by 
a stout  Post  and  rail  fence — along  which  if  a hedge  of  Honey 
locust  could  be  got  to  grow  entirely  round  it  would  form  a 
sufficient  barrier  against  bad  neighbours  as  they  would  hardly 
attempt  to  cut  them  down  to  let  their  Stock  in  upon  me 
which,  I am  sure  is  the  case  at  present  as  without  the  aids 
some  of  them  derive  from  my  Inclosures  and  their  connexion 
with  my  Hegroes  they  would  be  unable  to  live  upon  the 
miserable  land  they  occupy. — 

Whenever  the  field  3 at  Union  farm  is  prepared  for  a 
Crop,  which  was  intended  to  be  the  case  next  year — if  the 
piece  of  Wood  within,  is  touched  at  all,  let  there  be  a hand- 
some clump  of  trees  left  at  the  further  end  of  it — or  more 
than  one — according  to  the  shape  and  growth  of  the  Wood. — 
I have,  for  years  past,  been  urging  the  Superintendant  of 
my  business  at  Mount  Yernon  to  break  a number  of  Steers  to 
the  yoke,  that  no  set  of  oxen  may  be  worked  low — but  do 
not  believe  it  is  yet  done  to  the  extent  I wish. — My  reasons 
for  this  measure  are,  that  the  oxen  may  never  be  worked 
after  they  are  eight  years  of  age,  but  then  fatted  for  market ; 
— that  by  having  a number  of  them,  they  may,  by  frequent 
shifting,  always  be  in  good  order  ; — and  because,  when  they 
are  only  fed,  when  they  do  work — and  at  other  times  only 
partake  of  the  fare  which  is  allowed  to  the  other  cattle, — 
twenty  yoke  is  not  more  expensive  than  five  yoke. — 

The  Potatoes  which  were  made  last  year,  except  such  as 
you  may  require  for  your  own  eating,  which  you  are  welcome 
to,  must  all  be  preserved  for  Seed  ; and  will  be  short  enough, 
I fear,  for  the  purposes  they  are  intended. — It  has  been  in- 
timated that  several  of  the  large  stone  Jugs  which  were  sent 
to  the  different  farms  with  spirits  in  them  at  Harvest  has 
never  yet  been  returned. — Call  upon  the  several  Overseers  to 
give  them  in  immediately,  or  they  will  have  to  pay  for  them. 
— Inclosed  is  an  Inventory  of  the  several  articles  which  are 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


27 


in  the  Store  house  at  Mansion  house  which  I send  for  your 
information. — Take  an  account  of  what  is  delivered  from 
thence — to  whom — and  for  what  purpose — that  it  may  be 
known  how  things  go. — 

There  is  one  thing  I wish  to  impress  you  pretty  strongly 
with,  that  you  may  use  every  precaution  in  your  power  to 
guard  against — and  that  is — suffering  my  horses  to  be  rode 
at  unseasonable  hours  of  the  night  without  your  knowledge 
or  that  of  the  Overseers. — ~No  doubt  rests  upon  my  mind  that 
this  is  too  much  practiced  and  is  one,  if  not  the  primary  cause 
of  my  loosing  a number  of  horses — the  poverty  of  others — and 
the  slinking  of  foals  which  happens  so  frequently  that  I make 
a miserable  hand  of  breeding  Mules. — It  must  be  remembered 
in  time,  that  the  Jack  and  Stud  horse  are  advertised  for  cov- 
ering the  ensuing  Season — February  or  beginning  of  March, 
however,  will  be  in  time. — 

I am  told  that  the  AYell  by  the  Quarter  is  rendered  useless 
for  want  of  a proper  rope. — It  is  sometime  since  I wn-ote  to  Mr. 
Lewis  to  get  a hair  one  (for  none  other  answers  w'ell)  from 
the  Rope  Maker  in  Alexandria — but  what  he  has  done  in  it  I 
know  not. — He  will  be  able  to  inform  you  ; and  he,  and  the 
Gardeners  wife,  will  let  you  know  wdiat  Aegroes  have  been 
cloathed  and  who  are  yet  to  Cloath,  with  the  means  of  doing 
it. — ^ 

My  Superfine,  and  fine  flour  always  waits  for  directions 
from  me,  to  be  sold ; — but  the  midlings  and  Ship  stuff  you 
will  dispose  of  whenever  you  can  get  a suitable  price,  and 
your  want  of  money  may  require. — And  this  also  may  be 
done  with  Beeves,  Mutton  &c^ ; after  supplying  the  several 
demands  upon  the  former,  where  it  has  not  already  been 
done. — The  Miller  and  Thomas  Green,  I understand,  have 
each  had  a Beef,  the  weights  of  which  will,  I presume  be 
given  to  you  by  Mr.  Lewis  ; and  as  it  will  exceed  their  allow- 
ance of  this  article,  they  must  account  for  it  by  lessening  the 
quantity  of  Porke,  or  be  charged  the  (Alexandria)  market 


28 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


price  for  it. — And  as  Thomas  Green  has  drawn  in  the  course 
of  last  year  more  Meal  from  my  Mill  than  his  allowance  let 
him  be  charged  with  the  Overplus  and  It  is  necessary  you 
should  know  that  he  is  always  craving  money  and  other 
things  but  let  him  no  more  than  his  dues — for  he  is  in  debt 
I believe  to  every  body  and  whatever  is  advanced  beyond 
would  probably  be  lost. — 

I have  directed  Mr.  Lewis  to  leave  with  you  an  acc^  of  all 
the  money  he  has  paid,  and  what  (if  any)  may  remain  in  his 
hands. — And  it  is  my  request  that  you  will  pay  no  acc^®  (not 
of  your  own  contracting)  without  learning  from  him  that 
they  are  due,  or  first  sending  them  on^to  me ; for  Mr. 
Whiting  always  paid  as  he  went,  and  what  was  left  unpaid 
either  by  him,  or  contracted  after  his  death,  was  paid  to  the 
utmost  farthing  whilst  I was  at  home. — So  that  I know  of 
nothing  remaining  unpaid  except  the  Overseers  wages,  and 
to  the  Weaver,  but  what  has  fallen  under  Mr.  Lewis’s  man- 
agement since  I left  home  and  of  course  can  be  explained  by 
him. — 

Send  me  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity  of  Corn  made  at 
each  farm  and  the  yield  of  each  field. — I directed  Mr.  Lewis 
to  have  a certain  quantitjq  at  each  farm  put  into  seperate 
Corn  liouses  for  the  use  thereof ; and  the  residue  in  other 
houses  for  the  Mansion  house,  and  other  purposes — and  I 
hope  it  has  been  done,  but  wish  to  be  informed. — The  Iveys 
of  the  last  mentioned  houses  I did  not  intend  should  be  left  in 
the  care  of  the  Overseers,  but  the  doors  well  secured  and,  the 
keys  remain  in  your  own  custody. — 

As  your  family  may  be  the  better  accomodated  by  it,  I 
wrote  Mr.  Lewis  sometime  ago  that  you  might  lodge,  your- 
self, in  the  room  which  he  now  occupies ; and  I repeat  it  to 
you,  as  I am  willing  to  make  your  situation  as  comfortable  as 
may  be. — 

It  would  be  well  to  have  the  Seins  overhauled  immediately, 
that  if  new  ones  are  wanting,  or  the  old  ones  requiring  much 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


29 


repair,  tliey  may  be  set  about  without  loss  of  time ; — for  if 
this  work  is  delayed  until  the  spring  the  Sein  JS’etters  will  be 
so  much  employed,  as  to  disappoint  you  altogether  and  of 
course  my  people  of  Fish. — If  twine  is  not  to  be  had  in  Alex- 
andria let  me  know  it,  and  I will,  by  the  first  vessel  afterwards 
send  it  from  hence. — 

If  I recollect  rightly,  Thomas  Green  is  allowed  a certain 
quantity  of  Wood,  by  the  agreement  which  has  been  entered 
into  between  us  (by  the  old  one  I know  it  was  so)  it  would  be 
well  therefore  to  have  the  quantity  carried  to  his  house  and 
corded  up  at  once,  otherwise  he  will  be  always  complaining, 
and  denying  that  the  quantity  (six  cord  I think  it  is)  has  been 
rec*^  by  him. — • 

I shall  write  to  you  if  nothing  extraordinary  prevents  it, 
by  every  Mondays  Post,  and  shall  expect  a copy  of  the  Weekly 
Reports  by  the  Mail  which  leaves  Alexandria  on  Thursday  if 
no  change  has  taken  place — by  which  means  I shall  write  to 
you,  and  receive  a letter  from  you  every  Week  when  the  oc- 
currences (not  contained  in  the  reports)  may  be  mentioned. — 
And  now,  having  given  3’ou  my  sentiments  upon  all  those 
points  with  which  my  recollection  has  furnished  me  I have 
only  to  add  that  the  enclosed  letters  (which  are  sent  open  for 
you  to  peruse  and  then  to  put  wafers  in)  will  shew  the  person 
to  whom  they  are  directed  what  it  is  they  have  to  expect,  and 
the  ground  they  stand  upon. — Wishing  you  well  I remain 
Your  friend  &c^ 

G°  Washington. 


YII. 

Philadelphia  Jan  6*^  1794. 

Mr.  Lewis — or 
1\[r.  Pearce, 

The  Reports  of  the  28^^  of  December  have  been  received, 
and  Mr.  Butlers  acc^  therewith — As  I have  no  acc*^  against 
him,  and  Mr.  Whiting  only  kept  memorandums,  instead  of 


30 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


regular  accounts,  lie  must  be  paid  according  to  his  own 
statement. — for  this,  and  other  purposes,  I send  two  bank 
notes  for  one  hundred  dollars  each. 

It  is  very  unlucky  that  the  late  spell  of  freezing  weather 
should  be  suffered  to  pass  away  without  filling  the  Ice  house. 
— do  not  let  this  happen  again ; but  embrace  the  first  freez- 
ing that  happens  to  accomplish  this  work. 

Let  me  know  what  quantity  of  Oats  have  been  threshed  at 
the  Mansion  house,  and  what  has  been  done  with  them  ? — 
By  the  time  employed  in  getting  them  out  there  ought  to  be 
a good  many  of  them. — I wish  to  know  also  what  quantity 
Stuart  has? — These  two  parcels,  together  with  those  at 
Dogue  Bun  I directed  to  be  reserved  for  seed — and  when  the 
whole  quantity  contained  at  the  different  places  are  knowm  I 
shall  be  able  to  decide  how  much  more  to  provide — or  what 
further  to  do  in  the  case. — 

There  was  Oats  raised  from  a few  grains  of  a particular 
sort  which  I sent  to  my  Gardener  last  Spring — get  these 
from  him,  and  make  the  most  of  them,  by  sowfing  them  in 
drills  the  coming  Spring. — By  Mr.  Jefferson,  I sent  a Bundle 
of  Poccon  or  Illinois  nut  * and  desired  them  to  be  left  at  the 
Post  Office  in  Alexandria. — When  they  are  rec*^  desire  the 
Gardener  to  plant  them  in  a nursery. — I shall  send  more  by 
the  first  vessel,  or  other  proper  conveyance  w^^  shall  offer. — 
I also  gave  the  Gardener  a few  seed  of  East  India  hemp  to 
raise  from,  enquire  for  the  seed  which  has  been  saved,  and 
make  the  most  of  it  at  the  proper  Season  for  sowdng. 

What  is  the  present  appearance  of  the  growing  Wheat? — I 
am  in  a hurry  and  shall  only  add,  that  as  soon  as  I hear  of 
Mr.  Pearce’s  being  settled  at  Mount  Yernon — I shall  write 
more  fully  on  some  other  matters. 

I am — 

G®  Washington. 

’ Pursh  (“Flora  of  North  America,”  1816)  calls  the  “Pecan”  the  “Il- 
linois Nut.”  Jefferson  retired  from  the  Cabinet  at  the  close  of  1793. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


31 


P.  S. 

Kecollecting  since  writing  the  foregoing,  that  Mr.  Whit- 
ing’s Mem°  Book  was  here  I have  desired  Mr.  Dandridge  ^ to 
take  a copy  from  it  of  the  charges  against  Butler  ; which  he 
has  done,  and  it  is  now  enclosed — By  this  you  will  settle  with 
him. 


YlII. 

Philadelphia  19^^^  Jan^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  14^^  insP  came  to  my  hands  to-day,  when 
the  Post  ought  to  have  been  in  yesterday. 

Having  been  very  full  in  my  late  letters  to  you,  I shall 
have  less  to  say  in  this. — The  condition  you  describe  my 
stock  to  be  in  at  Union  farm,  and  at  Dogue  run,  and  want  of 
shelter  for  them  at  those  places  ; is  a fresh  instance  of  the 
misconduct  of  Crow  and  M°Koy;  and  of  the  necessity  of 
watching  their  ways  well. — As  you  have  taken  Butler  again, 
you  must  make  the  most  you  can  of  him. — The  man  means 
well,  but  he  wants  activity  and  spirit  to  fit  him  for  the  Over- 
looker of  Hegroes. — You  will  find  him  useful  though  in 
raising  hedges,  &c^ — and  particularly  so  in  cultivating 
the  French  furze.^ — It  was  he  that  induced  me  to  send  for 
the  seed  of  it,  w*^^  will  be  sent  to  you  by  the  first  vessel  to 
Alexandria — about  40  lbs.  of  it. — 

Let  the  most  that  can,  be  made  of  the  pint  of  Oats  which 
the  Gardener  raised  last  year,  and  of  the  Hemp  seed  ; but 
more  especially  of  the  St.  Foin  seed  ^ which  I desired  him 

* Bartholomew,  son  of  Judge  Dandridge  (General  Court  of  Va.)  who  had 
been  a member  of  the  Virginia  Convention  of  1776.  He  (Bartholomew)  was 
thus  a nephew  of  Mrs,  George  Washington.  He  succeeded  Tobias  Lear 
(1  Sep.  1793)  as  the  President’s  Secretary,  and  was  subsequently  Secretary 
of  Legation  in  London.  He  died  in  1802,  while  Consul  at  St,  Domingo. 

- TJlex  EhiropcBus. 

^ Onohrychift  {i.e.  what  asses  like  to  gnaw)  saliva.  Saintfoin  (holy  or 
wholesome  hay)  is  a leguminous  or  bean  like  plant. 


32 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


to  be  particularly  choice  of ; as  I wish  much  to  get  into  a 
stock  of  it. — The  latter  must  not  be  sown  where  Hares  can 
get  to  it,  or  they  will  cut  it  down  as  fast  as  it  springs. — 
When  M^^Koy  is  getting  out  the  Oats  at  Dogue-run,  have  a 
strict  eye  to  him. — He  told  me  he  expected  150  Bush^  From 
the  stack,  and  if  all  the  Oats  which  grew  in  what  was  called 
the  new  ground,  went  into  it,  there  ought  to  be  200  at  least — 
but  what  by  waste,  mismanagement,  or  something  worse,  I 
have,  of  late,  got  very  little  from  any  of  my  Overseers ; — 
what  becomes  of  it  is  more  difficult  to  determine. — 

If  you  should  have  another  freezing  spell,  do  not  by  any 
means  omit  to  fill  the  Ice  house  with  Ice,  as  the  advantage  of 
it  for  keeping  fresh  meat  &c^  is  indiscribable ; but  before 
you  begin  to  put  a weight  on  the  fioor  let  both  it  and  the 
joice  (or  the  Sleepers)  be  well  examined,  lest,  by  being  rotten 
they  may  give  way  and  destroy  those  who  may  be  below 
pounding  the  Ice  as  it  is  thrown  in. — If  the  fioor  is  found  un- 
safe take  it  away  altogether — I do  not  know  but  that  the  Ice 
will  keep  as  well  without,  as  with  it. 

If  on  account  of  the  springiness  of  the  ground  you  cannot 
proceed  in  digging  the  Mill  race,  which  is  a thing  to  be  re- 
gretted, you  might  employ  the  Ditchers  on  the  fence  from 
the  Millers,  leading  upwards,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the 
Meadow  lots  if  nothing  more  pressing  calls  for  their  labour. 
— Opening  the  Yisto  is  not  a work  of  necessity  ; and  it  never 
was  intended  to  be  extended  beyond  MuddjMiole  swamp  ; to 
which  I think  it  ought  to  have  got  before  this  time. — 

You  may  keep  Isaac  and  the  boy  Joe,  constantly  employed 
about  the  Carts,  Plows,  Harrows  &c^  until  they  are  in  or- 
der.— Let  stuff,  however,  be  always  in  the  Barn  that  the  other 
Carpenters  may  work  upon,  when  the  weather  will  not  per- 
mit them  to  be  out. — What  are  M*^  Fanny  Washington’s 
Carpenters  employed  about,  that  they  should  (altho’  hired  by 
me)  be  withdrawn  from  mine  so  long. — All  I know  they  had 
to  do,  was,  out  of  the  materials  of  an  old  Tobacco  house,  to 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


33 


make  a shed  for  her  plow  horses — ask  Tayler  what  more 
than  this  they  have  done,  and  by  whose  authority  ? 

The  Midlings  and  ship  stuff  may  be  sold  whenever  you 
find  the  market  good ; and  the  money  applied  to  such  uses 
as  are  proper. — Ji  twine  (for  the  Seins)  is  to  be  had  in  Alex- 
andria, it  will  be  better  to  get  it  there  than  to  depend  upon 
having  it  sent  from  thence. — And  you  have  my  full  consent 
to  give  the  Cattle  as  much  Salt  as  you  judge  necessary,  pre- 
venting waste. — 

I perceive  by  the  Report  from  River  farm  that  Stuart  is 
plowing  in  7 (a  field  that  was  in  wheat  last  year,  and  by 
the  rotation  which  I have  transmitted  to  you,  was  intended 
to  remain  in  pasture  this  year) — What  is  the  meaning  of 
this  ? — 1,  by  the  copy  I have  by  me  is  intended  for  Buck 
Wheat  as  a Manure,  and  R®  3 for  Corn  ; hut  I do  not  recol- 
lect that  any  direction  has  ever  been  given  for  plowing  R® 
7.— If  the  case  be  otherwise  I have  forgot  it;  and  the  design 
must  be  for  Oats  and  Buck  wheat  for  Crops ; and  of  course, 
if  accomplished  will  require  120  bush^  of  the  first,  and  60  of 
the  latter  more  than  I had  calculated  to  seed  the  field  ; the 
contents  being  120  acres. — Let  me  know  how  this  matter 
really  stands. — How  much  of  the  field  is  already  plowed — 
and  whether  you  will  be  able  to  prepare  the  residue  of  it ; 
and  at  the  same  time  execute  your  other  plowing  well,  and  in 
season,  with  your  present  force  of  horses  aided  by  Oxen ; 
which,  in  the  Eastern  states  is  almost  the  only  teams  they 
plow  with. 

I am  your  friend 

G*’  Washington. 

IX. 

Philadelphia  Jan^  26‘^  1791. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  22*^,  and  the  Reports,  came  duly  to  hand 
by  yesterdays  Post. 

You  will  perceive  by  my  rotation  plan  (with  which  you 
3 


34 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


have  been  furnished — or  rather  by  the  notes  annexed  thereto) 
that  if  the  fields  allotted  for  Corn  at  the  several  farms  were 
deemed  inadequate  to  the  consumption  of  this  article,  that 
such  parts  of  the  fields  as  were  designed  for  Buck  Wheat,  as 
a Croj},  might  be  converted  to  this  purpose,  and  I repeat  it 
again  here;  leaving  the  proportion  thereof  to  your  own 
judgment,  with  a proviso,  however,  that  there  be  Buck 
Wheat  enough  sown  to  raise  a sufficiency  of  Seed  for  all  the 
purposes  of  my  rotation  system  another  year ; as  it  is  cer- 
tainly a refiection  upon  a farmer  to  have  his  Seeds  to  buy. — 
The  reason  why  I prefered  increasing  the  qaantity  of  Corn 
ground  in  these  fields,  is,  that  nothing  might  interrupt  the 
manurings  of  one  fields  at  each  farm,  every  year  with  green 
manure  ; whilst  the  Cowpens,  and  dung  from  the  farm  yards, 
would  do  the  like  to  the  jpoor  jparts  of  a second  field,  an- 
nually.— By  this  means,  and  a judicious  rotation,  I am  not 
without  hope  of  bringing  my  land,  in  time,  into  a profitable 
state  of  cultivation ; — and  unless  some  such  practice  as  this 
prevails,  my  fields  will  be  growing  worse  and  worse  every 
year,  until  the  Crops  will  not  defray  the  expence  of  the  cult- 
ure of  them. — 

By  the  report  of  the  week  before  last,  it  appeared  that 
Stuart  was  plowing  in  7 ; but  as  that  field,  according  to 
the  rotation  which  I have  by  me,  was  to  remain  this  year  in 
Pasture  I could  not  account  for  it,  otherwise  than  as  a mis- 
take in  him,  or  a direction  of  mine  which  I had  forgotten  ; — 
the  reason  however  of  my  mentioning  the  matter  again,  in 
this  letter,  is,  that  if  that  field  is  designed  for  Oats  and  Buck 
Wheat,  the  part,  or  such  proportion  thereof  (as  you  like) 
which  was  designed  for  the  latter,  may  go  into  Corn  in  like 
manner  as  is  allowed  at  the  other  farms  ; — but  if  it  has  not 
been  touched,  nor  intended  to  be  touched  this  year,  (and  I 
again  desire  that  you  will  not  undertake  more  than  you  can 
execute  well)  then  such  part  of  1 as  you  may  deem  proper 
may  be  put  into  Corn : — or  you  ihay  do  what  Stuart  suggested 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


35 


to  me  before  I left  home — namely — to  plant  all  the  good 
ground  in  both  1 and  N®  3 with  Corn  and  sow  all  the 
broken  and  poor  parts  of  them  with  Buck  Wheat  for 
manure ; — the  same  might  be  done  at  the  other  farms ; — re- 
membering always,  that  these  fields  are  to  be  sown  with 
Wheat  in  the  Months  of  August  and  September  next  agree- 
ably to  the  plan  of  Rotation,  which  jmu  have. 

I will  send  by  the  first  vessel  going  round  to  Alexandria 
14  bush^'’  of  Clover  Seed,  as  I fear  what  you  have  (except  of 
your  own  growth)  is  bad  ; and  because  I would  not  be  sparing 
of  Seed,  either  to  the  ground  you  have  to  sow,  or  that  which 
has  been  sowm,  and  is  now  missing. — Of  Timothy  Seed  I 
shall  send  more,  as  10  bushels  is  sufficient  I conceive  to 
answer  all  your  purposes ; but  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the 
Timothy  and  Orchard  grass  seeds  have  got  mixed  (as  they 
are  very  much  alike)  for  I am  sure  there  was  Orchard  grass 
seed  saved,  and  Butler  and  Old  Jack  ought  to  know  what 
was  done  with  it. — That  you  may  know  what  dependence  to 
place  on  the  Clover  seed  which  went  from  hence  last  year, 
and  put  into  the  Store  mix  it  well  together,  and  then  promis- 
cuously take  out  a certain  (precise)  number  of  seeds  and  see 
what  proportion  of  them  will  come  up. — The  Gardener  can 
ascertain  this  or  by  putting  them  under  a brick  on  the  ground, 
in  a warm  place,  you  can  do  it  yourself. — I shrewdly  suspect 
that  that  seed  was  bad  even  last  year,  otherwise  the  clover 
lot  at  the  Mansion,  and  the  Meadows  at  Union  and  Dogue 
run  farms,  would  not  be  so  dificient  now  (the  latter  after 
twice  sowing  in  some  parts). 

Speaking  of  these  Seeds,  I must  give  you  a hint  of  what  I 
also  very  strongly  suspect ; — and  that  is — that  my  Negro 
Seedsmen  take  a considerable  toll  from  every  thing  that 
goes  into  their  hands — for  this  reason,  make  it  an  invariable 
rule  before  it  is  delivered  to  them,  to  mix  in  a bushel  of  Sand 
or  well  dried  earth,  as  many  pints  of  seed  as  you  allow  to  an 
Acre,  and  let  it  be  sown  in  this  manner. — Two  valuable  pur- 


36 


GEORGE  WASHIIs^GTON 


poses  are  answered  thereby — in  this  State,  the  Seed  is 
rendered  unsaleable ; — and  2*^^^  a person  not  skilled  in  sowing 
small  seeds,  will  do  it  more  regularly  when  thus  mixed  ; for 
being  accustomed  to  sow  a bushel  of  Wheat  to  the  Acre,  the 
same  cost,  and  fill  of  the  hand,  does  for  the  small  seed  when 
so  mixed ; — in  doing  of  which  pains  is  to  be  taken  that  the 
mixture  is  perfect ; otherwise  one  part  of  the  acre  will  have 
more  sand  and  less  seed  than  the  other,  and  so  vice  versa. 

Give  what  Manure  you  can  to  the  lot  at  Mansion  house 
which  is  to  be  sown  with  Oats  and  grass  seeds ; or  to  the  one 
which  is  to  be  planted  wdth  Potatoes,  as  circumstances  and 
your  own  judgment  shall  direct : — for  both,  I do  not  presume 
there  is  dung  enough. — It  is  better  to  do  one  well  than  both 
by  halves. — 

The  Ground  between  'N°  6 at  River  farm,  and  the  Barn 
lane,  you  may  apply  to  the  purposes  mentioned  in  your  letter 
of  the  22*^ ; and  let  it  remain  under  the  fence  which  incloses 
6 until  a division  fence  can  be  run. — It  may  be  worth 
some  consideration  whether  Potatoes  (if  some  part  of  the 
Clover  lot  in  front  of  the  Barn  does  not  require  to  be  broke 
up)  ought  not  to  be  planted  in  part  of  it. — 

You  may  continue  to  eat  of  my  meat,  as  the  white  people 
will  take  it  after  it  goes  from  your  table,  until  your  family 
arrives,  and  afterwards  also  if  it  shall  be  found  more  conven- 
ient than  to  keep  separate  stocks,  as  I believe  it  will. — I per- 
ceive Thomas  Green  draws  fine  fiour  from  the  Mill  when  the 
Miller  and  others  are  content  with  Midlings ; and  which  I 
am  sure  is  good  enough  for  him. — Does  his  agreement  in  this 
respect  differ  from  the  others  ? — 

The  thorn  berries  should  be  buried  a year  before  they  are 
sown,  in  order  that  they  may  pass  through  a state  of  fer- 
mentation ; — unless  they  do  this  they  will  not  come  up.' — 
Butler  ought  to  be  acquainted  with  the  process,  if  he  is  the 

’ A craicegus  about  the  District  of  Columbia,  now  called  tbe  “Washington 
Thom.” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


37 


practical  farmer  he  pretends  to  be. — The  Cedar  berries  should 
have  all  the  casing  of  the  Seed  rubbed  of  [f]  before  they  are 
sown,  or  they  will  not  come  up. — 

Mr.  Dulany  is  right  in  his  application,  but  when  you  pay 
him  the  hundred  dollars  (which  is  herein  sent  you)  take  his 
receipt  for  £150  pounds  on  acc*^  of  the  Kent  due  to  M’’®  French 
for  the  year  1793  ; — and  give  him  a receipt  for  £120  for  the 
Kent  he  owes  me,  for  the  same  year.^ — 

There  is  part  of  the  Wages  for  1793  due  to  the  Estate  of 
Mr.  Anthony  Whiting ; but  how  much  I am  unable  at  this 
moment  to  say  precisely. — They  commenced  the  first  of  Jan^ 
and  he  died  about  the  middle  of  June,  but  how  much  of  my 
money  which  was  in  his  hands  he  may  have  applied  to  his 
own  use  I cannot,  without  some  investigation,  decide. — If  the 
Administrators  have  any  thing  which  leads  to  this,  obtain  it 
from  them,  that  the  acc^  may  be  closed  ; as  I do  not  want  to 
keep  them  out  of  what  is  due,  a day — I remain 

Your  friend  &c^ 

G°  Washington. 


X. 

Philadelphia  Feb^  9^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Since  writing  you  a few  lines  on  the  3*^  instant,  I have  re- 
ceived your  letter  of  the  28^^  of  last  month,  and  that  of  the 
third  of  the  present. — 

If  you  are  satisfied  with  Mr.  Butlers  conduct  and  exertions, 
I shall  be  so. — He  has  always  appeared  to  me  as  a well  dis- 
posed man, — obliging  and  sober,  one  who  has  seen  better 
days — and  must  have  had  a good  deal  of  practical  knowledge 
in  husbandry. — If  you  can  make  him  active,  and  will  support 


^ Benjamin,  brother  of  Daniel  Dulany,  the  eminent  lawyer  of  Annapolis, 
married  Miss  French,  heiress  of  Rose  Hill,  and  resided  at  Shuter’s  Hill, 
near  Alexandria.  He  had  charge  of  the  estate  of  his  wife’s  motlier,  the 
widow  of  Daniel  French. 


38 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


liis  authority,  1 do  not  see  why  he  may  not  be  more  useful  to 
you  than  a young  man,  who  might  have  a greater  propensity 
to  be  running  about. — 

With  respect  to  the  French  furse,  I shall  leave  it  altogether 
to  you  and  him,  to  manage  it  as  you  shall  think  best ; for  in 
truth  I know  nothing  of  the  nature  of  the  Plant. — In  the  dis- 
posal of  the  seed,  how^,  (where  it  is  ultimately  to  remain)  you 
cannot  go  amiss. — The  best  guide  perhaps  is  to  sow  it  in  soil 
which  is  most  congenial  to  it : — and  if  this  could  be  found 
around  the  enclosures  at  the  Mansion  house,  I should  give  it 
a preference  ; — but  in  this  also,  do  as  shall  appear  best. — 

I am  of  opinion  the  Post  and  rail  fence  which  runs  from 
the  Mill  up  to  the  tumbling  dam,  and  so  on,  is  too  low  and 
unsubstantial  for  an  ouF  fence,  against  such  neighbours  as  I 
have  in  that  quarter;  it  was  for  this  reason  I proposed  a more 
substantial  one  ; — especially,  as  the  good  posts  and  Pails  in 
that  fence  would  do  very  well  for  the  inner  and  cross  fences. 
— I conceive  also,  that  the  outside  ditch  ought  to  be  widened, 
and  deep[e]ned. — In  a word,  to  make  the  whole  of  the  ex- 
terior fence  so  formidable,  and  the  Pails  so  close  together,  as 
to  prevent  trespass  even  from  pigs  ; — without  this  I shall 
never  enjoy  the  sole  benefit  of  my  Inclosures;  nor  keep  the 
Meadows  along  the  Mill  swamp  from  injury. — 

The  out  fence  at  the  Mansion  house  I am  sensible  stands 
in  great  need  of  repair,  and  I shall  be  much  pleased  by  your 
repairing  it,  and  well ; as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit. — 
The  idea  of  getting  rails  out  of  the  dead,  and  decaying  timber, 
I much  approve  ; for  the  waste  which  has  been  committed 
on  my  timber  and  Wood  hitherto,  has  really  been  shameful 
— I have  no  doubt,  if  the  trees  which  have  been  fallen  in  all 
parts  of  my  land,  and  only  a small  part  of  them  used,  were 
corded  for  fire  wood  instead  of  lying  to  rot  on  the  ground 
that  they  would  sell  for  many  hundreds  of  pounds. — You  will 
find  it  necessary,  I presume,  whenever  you  undertake  the 
Mansion  house  (out)  fence,  to  get  the  rails  tolerably  con- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


39 


venient,  on  acc*^  of  the  Cartage. — It  has  always  been  my  in- 
tention to  clear,  in  the  same  manner  the  ground  now  is,  in 
front  of  the  house,  from  the  white  gates  as  the  road  goes  to- 
wards Alexandria,  up  to  the  little  old  field  ; and  to  extend 
the  fence  out  to  it  whenever  a convenient  moment  should  be 
found  for  the  purpose. — If  there  be,  therefore,  any  stuff  fit 
for  Rails  within  that  space,  two  purposes  will  be  answered 
by  using  it ; namely,  fencing,  and  clearing  the  ground  of  its 
growth ; but  I fear  there  are  but  few  trees  that  will  answer 
for  the  first,  that  is  for  rails. — 

If  you  will  examine  the  little  sketch  of  the  lots  at  Union 
farm,  which  was  enclosed  in  one  of  my  former  letters,  you 
can  be  at  no  loss  in  laying  them  off — a slipe  of  2,  from  the 

fence  of  1 to  the  fence  of  K®  3,  of  the  breadth  mentioned 
in  that  sketch,  gives  you  the  four  lots  ; and  dividing  this  slipe 
into  four  equal  parts  gives  you  the  size  of  each  lot. — The  two 
next  to  field  JS"®  1,  are  those  which  are  to  be  sown  with  Clover 
on  the  wheat,  because  they  have  been  cowpenned. — The  other 
two  must  remain  to  succeed,  in  order,  as  have  been  mentioned 
in  former  letters. — 

If  I do  not  confine  myself  as  nearly  as  circumstances  will 
permit  to  my  rotation  system,  this  year,  I never  shall  get  into 
it  at  all ; for  which  reason,  although  T might  find  ground 
better  adapted  to  Com  than  what  was  intended  for  Buck 
'Wheat  (for  a Crop).  It  is  my  desire  that  you  will  attend  to, 
and  pursue  the  course  w*^^  has  been  mentioned  in  my  letter  of 
the  26^^  of  last  Month ; or  in  the  Oat  gr^^,  if  you  slU  want  Seed 
Oats. 

Let  me  know  every  now  and  then  how  the  growing  Wheat 
and  Barley  looks,  as  a week  or  two  may  change  the  appear- 
ance of  them  materially. — 

What,  or  how  much  is  done  to  the  new  race  of  the  Mill  ? 
and  at  which  end  did  they  begin  ? — Is  it  got  to  its  deptli  ? 
and  carried  on  a level,  what  has  been  done  ? — 

I have  no  chance  to  get  honey  locust  seed  this  year  ; — and 


40 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


as  it  is  thought  improper  to  sow  the  french  furze  for  the  pur- 
pose of  transplanting,  the  ground  prepared  by  the  Gardener 
for  these  things  will  be  useless ; — But  as  I have  got  about  a 
quart,  or  a little  more  of  what  is  called  White  bent  seed, 
which  is  given  to  me  as  a very  valuable  grass,'  I wish  you 
would  prepare  about  a quarter  of  an  Acre  of  gr^  (for  I would 
not  chuse  to  put  the  seed  in  more  than  that)  in  one  of  the 
New  Meadows  at  Dogue-run  or  Union  farm,  and  sow  it  at 
the  time  mentioned  in  the  enclosed  letter. — If  no  opportunity 
offers  of  sending  it  by  water  with  the  Clover  Seed  &c*^  I will 
send  it  by  Post. — • 

Let  the  Gardener  know  that  the  seed  he  wrote  for  shall 
also  be  sent  at  the  same  time,  with  some  others  which  will 
require  his  particular  skill  and  attention. — You  have  never 
informed  me  how  much  St.  Foin  and  India  Hemp  seed  he 
has  saved. — 

If  my  Cattle  and  Sheep  receive  all  the  attention  and  care 
that  is  necessary,  I can  require  no  more,  if  they  should  die  ; 
— but  it  shews  how  essensial  it  is  to  pick,  cull,  and  sell  off  be- 
fore it  is  too  late,  and  to  provide  well  for  the  rest,  and  this  I 
hope  will  be  the  case  another  year; — and  especially  in  at- 
tending to  the  breeding  of  them ; both  as  it  respects  the 
choice  of  the  Males  (particularly)  and  the  seasons  proper  for 
their  going  to  the  females. — 

In  a letter  which  has  just  been  received  from  Mrs.  Fanny 
Washington,  she  requests  me  to  desire  you,  to  rent  her  fish- 
ing landing  at  Taylers  on  the  best  terms  you  can  obtain  and 
make  it  a condition  that  the  person  so  renting  it,  shall  furnish 
for  her  own  use  two  Barrels  of  Shad,  and  four  of  Herrings — 
and  as  many  of  the  latter  as  hath  usually  been  put  up  for  the 
use  of  the  Negros  under  his  (Taylers)  care ; of  which  he  can 
inform  you. — It  is  my  wish  you  should  do  this. — 

^ “A  valuable  grass”  are  the  words  applied  by  Asa  Gray  to  this  same 
agrastis  alba^  or  White  Bent — a pale  green,  distinguished  from  the  “Red- 
top.” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


41 


CoP  Ball  must  have  the  three  shoats  he  applies  for — a boar 
and  two  sows. — I was  in  hopes  the  last  spell  of  freezing 
weather  w^^  have  enabled  you  to  fill  the  Ice  house. — It  is  very 
desirable  it  should  be  so,  as  the  convenience  on  acc*  of  fresh 
meat  &c*^  in  the  Summer  is  inconceivably  great  in  the 
country. — 

It  appears  by  Mr.  Lewis’s  accounts  that  Mr.  Stuart  has 
only  rec*^  £15.  12. — The  difference  between  that  Sum  and  his 
wages,  is  yet  due  to  him  ; unless  he  has  received  money  from 
Mr.  Whiting  of  which,  if  the  fact  is  so,  he  unquestionably 
knows,  and  will  tell. — Crow’s  and  M^Koy’s  wages  are  also 
due,  and  must  be  paid. — If  you  have  not  money,  nor  a pros- 
pect of  raising  it  from  the  Middlings  and  Ship  stuff  in  time 
for  these  purposes,  let  me  know  it,  and  I will  send  it  from 
hence. — 

I have  nothing  to  add  at  present  but  to  beg  you  will  make 
my  people  (about  the  Mansion  house)  be  careful  of  the  fire ; 
for  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  them  to  be  running  from  one 
house  to  another  in  cold  windy  nights  with  sparks  of  fire  fiy- 
ing,  and  dropping  as  they  go  along,  without  paying  the  least 
attention  to  the  consequences. — 

You  will  remember  in  time  that  my  house  in  Alexandria 
is  got  in  order  for  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington;  as  I have  pro- 
mised to  do  this  by  the -time  mentioned  to  you  in  former 
letters. — If  my  Carpenters  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  go  on 
with  their  work  as  they  ought  to  do,  I intended  to  build 
Daries  both  at  Union  and  Dogue-run  farm  ; to  see  if  the 
Milk  at  each  could  not  be  turned  to  some  account ; — but  the 
lower  part  I should  build  of  Brick  like  that  in  the  Ueck, 
where  Stuart  lives. — I remain 

Your  friend  Ac*' 

G®  Washington.  • 

P.  S. 

If  upon  tryal,  the  Clover  seed  you  have  is  found  to  be 
good,  it  would  be  well  to  sow  what  you  have  upon  the  first 


42 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Snow  that  covers  the  ground  after  this  letter  reaches  you. — 
What  I have  here  shall  go  by  the  first  Vessel  for  Alexandria; 
but  when  this  may  happen  is  impossible  to  say,  as  the  IN^avi- 
gation  of  the  Delaware  is  interrupted  by  Ice. 

Y-  Ac^  G.  W. 


XL 

Philadelphia  16^^  of  Feb^  1794. 

Me.  Peaece, 

Your  letter  of  the  instant,  covering  the  reports  of  the 
preceeding  week,  came  regularly  to  hand,  and  gave  me  con- 
cern to  hear  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Stuarts  daughter. — What 
was  her  complaint  ? 

My  intention,  with  respect  to  the  repairs  of  my  house  in 
Alexandria,  and  inclosing  the  lot,  was,  that  every  particle  of 
the  work,  except  putting  it  together,  should  be  prepared  at 
Mount  Vernon,  and  carried  thither  by  Water ; for  sure  I am, 
if  the  whole  was  to  be  executed  in  Town  that  four  faithful 
workmen  would  do  more  there  in  one  week  than  any  four  of 
mine  would  do  in  a month. — I expected  that  Green,  or  some 
one  that  was  a judge  of  work,  would  examine  critically  what 
was  to  be  done,  that  the  whole  miglit  be  carried  on  in  the 
manner  I have  just  mentioned. — This,  as  far  as  the  dwelling 
house  is  concerned,  has  been  done  already,  but  not  I believe 
with  the  accuracy  that  is  necessary  to  prevent  mistakes. — In 
truth,  the  Man  who  lives  in  it,  ought,  by  his  agreement,  to 
have  kept  the  house  &c^  in  perfect  repair ; for  that  is  the 
only  compensation  he  proposed  (I  believe)  to  make  me  for 
the  use  of  it ; and  when  I saw  him  last,  in  October,  he  told  me 
that  he  had  made  a new  door,  or  doors,  and  some  sashes;  and 
was  going  on  with  the  work. — It  might  be  well  therefore, 
the  first  time  you  go  to  town,  to  examine  minutely  into  the 
matter — see  what  he  has  done — what  he  talks  of  doing — on 
what  terms — and  how  far  he  may  be  depended  upon  for  what 
he  engages ; — remembering  always  that  the  house  must  be  in 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


43 


order  by  the  time  you  have  been  informed  of. — Whether  this 
man  (that  is  the  tenant)  is  a joiner,  or  house  Carpenter  him- 
self, or  not,  I am  unable  to  say : If  the  former,  and  he  is  to 
be  Depended  upon,  all  you  can  get  out  of  him,  in  time^  by 
way  of  compensation  for  Rent,  will  be  so  much  saved  to  me  ; 
but  nothing  that  is  essential  to  the  two  houses,  must  be  left 
to  uncertainties. — Inclosing  the  lot  in  time  is  not  quite  so 
material;  but  let  it  be  done  in  a very  substantial  manner 
whenever  it  is  set  about ; — with  such  Posts  and  Rails  (close 
enough  together)  as  will  compleatly  secure  a garden,  when- 
ever it  is  converted  to  that  use,  and  not  easily  pulled  down 
for  firing. — You  might — in  order  to  know  what  the  work  can 
be  accomplished  for,  by  hiring — get  a respectable  workman 
of  Alexandria  to  examine  the  two  houses  carefully,  set  down 
everything  wanting  to  them — and  the  lowest  he  will  do  it 
for. — I could,  after  receiving  this,  with  your  opinion  there- 
upon, be  better  able  to  decide  whether  to  hire  or  employ  my 
own  people. — This  may  also  be  done  with  respect  to  enclosing 
the  lot ; though  I conceive  there  would  be  more  propriety  in 
doing  the  latter  than  the  former,  with  my  own  Carpenters. — 
If  large  and  stout  Cedar  Posts,  and  chesnut  or  Cyprus  Rails 
could  be  bought  reasonably  it  would  be  better  than  to  get 
them  of  Oak,  from  my  own  land,  and  let  the  estimate  of  the 
workman,  you  rnay  consult,  be  made  on  the  supposition  of 
their  being  so. — In  w^^  case,  it  might  be  better  to  employ 
him  ; for  otherwise  they  would,  more  than  probably  be  to  be 
brought  from  Alexandria  to  Mount  Yernon  and  then  to  go 
back  again,  or  my  Carpenters  must  go  there  to  dress — Mortise 
— and  tenant  them  ; which,  as  I have  observed  before,  I am 
sure  would  afford  them  the  opportunity  of  being  idle. — 

I am  so  well  satisfied  of  Thomas  Greens  unfitness  to  look 
after  my  Carpenters,  that  nothing  but  the  helpless  situation 
in  which  you  find  his  family,  has  prevailed  on  me  to  retain 
him  ’till  this  time : but  if  you  perceive  more  and  more,  as 
your  opportunities  encrease,  that  he  is  not  to  be  entrusted, 


44 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


you  had  better  be  looking  out  in  time  to  supply  his  place 
another  year  if  there  should  not  be  cause  to  turn  him  sooner 
off.—  ' 

When  he  has  compleated  the  Barn  at  Dogue  run,  let 
it  be  well  cleaned  out,  and  a good  lock  put  upon  the  lower 
door — the  Key  of  which  either  keep  yourself, — or  order 
M^Koy  never  to  let  it  be  out  of  his  own  locked  Chest. — Then 
try  how  the  treading  floor  will  answer  the  purpose  for  which 
it  was  constructed. — 

I perceive  my  Overseers  are  beginning  to  report  the  in- 
crease of  Lambs  this  year  as  they  did  last ; by  which  I never 
know  what  they  lose. — Let  them  know  it  is  my  expectation, 
that,  every  lamb  that  falls,  and  every  one  that  dies  in  the 
week,  and  what  are  actually  in  being  at  the  time,  is  to  be 
precisely  set  down. — It  is  from  hence  only  I can  form  a judg- 
ment of  their  care  and  attention  to  them. — According  to 
their  mode  of  rendering  the  account,  I may,  if  an  hundred 
Lambs  fall  in  a week,  and  flfty  of  them  die,  have  an  increase 
of  50  only  in  the  report ; and  although  this  is  true  in  fact,  it 
is  by  no  means  a fair — or  a satisfactory  state  of  the  case. — 
The  missing  report  of  Mr.  Stuart  ought  yet  to  come  forward, 
otherwise  there  will  be  a gap,  or  break  in  them. — 

Whenever  you  shall  have  received  the  amount  of  Mr. 
Lewis’s  order  on  Mr.  Ross,  let  me  be  inforrned  of  it ; because 
I shall  then  pay  the  money  here. — 

Under  cover  with  this  letter  you  will  receive,  and  I hope  in 
good  order,  the  White  bent  grass  seeds  mentioned  in  my  last 
letter  ; — half  an  ear  of  very  early  ripening  Corn  ; — the  Gar- 
den seeds  written  for  by  Elder  ; — and  4 kinds  of  seeds  sent 
me  by  a Gentleman  in  England ; some  (or  I believe  all)  of 
which  came  from  the  East  Indias. — In  my  last  I gave  direc- 
tions concerning  the  Bent  grass,  and  therefore  shall  say  noth- 
ing about  it  here  : — If  the  Corn  is  not  planted  where  it  can 
be  protected,  it  will  all  be  eaten  in  its  green  state. — The  Gar- 
dener will  see  by  the  prices  annexed  to  the  Seeds  he  sent  for, 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


45 


how  necessary  it  is  for  him  to  save  his  own  Seeds,  which  I 
hope  he  will  do  hereafter  ; — and  I desire  he  will  take  partic- 
ular care  of  the  other  four  sorts  of  foreign  seeds; — two  of 
which  he  will  perceive  must  be  sown  in  moist  ground,  or  kept 
moist  after  it  is  sown. — Let  him  number  the  papers  which 
contain  these  seeds,  and  drive’stakes  with  corrisponding  num- 
bers by  each  kind,  when  sown,  that  he  may  be  at  no  loss  to 
know  them : — Putting  the  papers  as  is  usual,  in  a split  stick 
by  them,  is  apt  to  be  lost ; or  so  defaced  by  the  weather  as  to 
become,  after  a while,  unintelligable ; and  then  the  name 
will  be  forgotten  : — by  the  method  I have  proposed  this  can- 
not happen  ; — on  the  papers  too  may  be  noted  the  places 
where  they  are  sown. — 

I remain 

Your  friend  &c* 

Washington. 


XII. 

Philadelphia  24^^  Feb^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  17*^^  instant  came  safe. — Meeting  your 
children  at  Baltimore  is  certainly  necessary,  and  therefore  I 
can  have  no  objection  to  it. — 

My  last  letter  beings  full,  respecting  the  repairs  of  my 
house  in  Alexandria,  I shall  add  nothing  on  that  subject  in 
this  ; — and  as  Mr.  Stuart  has  not,  according  to  his  declaration, 
received  any  money  from  Mr.  Whiting,  let  him  be  paid  with 
the  deduction  only  of  that  w^hich  he  has  rec^  from  Mr.  Lewis, 
or  yourself. 

In  my  last,  I omitted,  through  mistake,  the  Seed  which  is 
now  sent : — let  it  be  given  to  the  Gardener  as  part  of  that 
parcel ; — some  early  Colliflower  seed  was  sent  to  him  by  Mrs. 
Washington  (by  a Gentleman  of  Alexandria  of  the  name  of 
Turner) — w*^^  I hope  you  will  have  got. — 

I hope  the  Posts  and  rails  you  are  now  getting,  will  not  be 


46 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


SO  unsubstantial  as  to  be  blown  down  by  eveiy  puff  of  wind 
as  the  last  are ; — and  I am  sorry  that  the  springeness  of  the 
ground,  where  you  are  digging  the  new  race  does  not  admit 
that  work  to  go  on  to  advantage,  as  it  is  essential  it  should  be 
compleated  before  the  water  begins  to  fail ; but  notwithstand- 
ing this,  I would  not  have  it  proceed  to  a disadvantage, 
wdiilst  the  hands  can  be  more  benificially  occupied  in  other 
things ; — more  force  must  be  employed  when  the  ground  is 
in  order,  and  this  will  be  between  the  jpresent  wet,  and  the 
drought  which  generally  succeeds  ; and  by  which  the  soil 
binds,  and  becomes  very  hard. — The  Miller  had  the  mode  of 
sloping  the  race  particularly  explained  to  him  both  by  the 
Gentleman  who  laid  it  off,  and  myself ; his  directions  there- 
fore in  this  case,  is  to  be  observed  and  follow^ed. — 

By  the  next  Post,  I will  send  you  the  copy  of  an  advertise- 
ment of  the  terms  on  which  the  Jacks  and  Stud  horse  are  to 
cover. — In  the  mean  while,  it  may  be  said,  the  former  will 
cover  at  Four  pounds  each  ; — and  the  horse  at  40 / — Pastur- 
age, Groom,  &c*^  as  usual. — 

After  culling  my  Sheep  at  Shearing  time  last  year ; and 
going  over  them  a second  time  in  the  Summer ; the  loss  at 
Union  farm  (near,  or  quite  twenty  since  Autumn)  seems  to 
be  very  extraordinary  ; and  I fear  it  is  too  strong  an  evidence 
of  Crow’s  inattention  to  my  Stock  ; as  had  been  intimated  to 
me  before  I left  Mount  Yernon  in  October. 

I am  very  glad  to  hear  that  the  Gardener  has  saved  so 
much  of  the  St.  Foin  seed,  and  that  of  the  India  Hemp. — 
Make  the  most  you  can  of  both,  by  sowing  them  again  in 
drills. — Where  to  sow  the  first  I am  a little  at  a loss  (as  Hares 
are  very  destructive  to  it)  but  think,  as  the  Lucern  wdiich  w^as 
sown  broad  in  the  Inclosure  by  the  Spring,  has  come  to 
nothing ; — as  the  ground  is  good ; — and  probably  as  free 
from  Hares  as  any  other  place,  it  might  as  well  be  put  there ; 
as  I am  very  desirous  of  getting  into  a full  stock  of  seed  as 
soon  as  possible. — Let  the  ground  be  well  prepared,  and  the 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


47 


Seed  (St.  Foin)  be  sown  in  April. — The  Hemp  may  be  sown 
any  where. — 

Enclosed  you  will  find  three  Bank  notes  for  one  hundred 
dollars  each ; out  of  which  pay  the  Kev^^  Mr.  Muir  of  Alex- 
andria Fifty  pounds,  and  take  his  signature  to  the  enclosed 
receipt ; ^ — and  Mr.  Hartshorne  of  the  same  place  £33-6-8- 
being  the  dividend  of  my  five  shares  in  the  Potomack  Com- 
pany.— Give  me  credit  for  these  three  hundred  dollars,  and 
cha : my  account  with  the  above  payments. 

Never  suffer  a Mare  to  be  taken  from  the  Jacks,  or  Horse, 
when  they  are  once  admitted  to  Pasture,  until  the  whole  that 
is  due  for  them  be  paid ; for  it  has  been  found  that  after 
the  Mares  are  gone,  I have  more  trouble  in  collecting  the 
money  than  it  is  worth. 

I am  Your  friend 

and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


XHI. 

Philadelphia  March  2^  1794. 

Me.  Pearce. 

Your  letter  of  the  25^^  ulP,  and  Reports  of  the  preceeding 
week,  came  to  hand  this  day. — 

Enclosed,  agreeably  to^he  promise  contained  in  my  last,  I 
send  you  the  copy  of  an  Advertisement  which  the  Printers 
of  Baltimore  and  George  Town  have  been  directed  to  publish 
four  times ; in  each  of  their  Gazettes ; alternate  weeks : — 

^ This  was  an  annual  subscription  to  the  Orphan  School  under  the  care  of 
Mr.  Muir,  to  which  Washington  also  bequeathed  $4,000  in  perpetuity.  The 
Rev.  James  Muir  (1757-1820)  was  a native  of  Cumnock,  Scotland,  who,  after 
eight  years’  ministry  in  Bermuda,  had  been  chosen  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  Alexandria  (1789).  He  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from 
Yale.  He  wrote  a work  in  reply  to  Paine’s  “ Age  of  Reason.”  He  preached 
before  the  Freemasons  the  second  of  the  two  sermons  on  the  death  of  Wash- 
ington,— the  first  being  given  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  by  the  Episco- 
palian rector  (Davis).  For  a letter  of  Washington  concerning  his  shares  in 
the  Potomac  Company  see  Appendix  D. 


48 


GEORGE  ^YASHINGTON 


that  is — to  insert  it  one  Week  and  leave  it  out  the  next,  until 
it  has  been  four  times  published. — The  same  you  may  cause 
to  be  done  in  Alexandria,  and  where  else  shall  be  thought 
proper : — among  these  Port  Tobacco  may  be  a good  place. — 
To  Leesburgh  (to  the  care  of  CoP  Ball)  I will  have  one 
sent. — 

I recommend  particular  care  of  the  youngest  Jack,  that  he 
may  be  made  to  grow  large. — I do  the  same  of  the  Mules 
(which  Peter  knows)  allotted  for  my  own  driving. — Do  not 
stint  them  in  their  feed  to  accomplish  these  purposes. — 

Let  there  be  an  exact  account  kept  of  all  the  Mares  and 
Jenneys  that  go  to  the  Jacks  ; and  to  which,  as  well  those 
belonging  to  myself,  as  others  : — the  same  with  respect  to  the 
horse ; — but  sufPer  no  Mares  to  be  taken  away  before  the 
money  is  paid,  unless  by  those  who  live  near  you,  and  from 
whom  you  can  receive  it  at  any  time. — A Mr.  Prescot  of 
Loudoun  (or  Fauquier)  owes  yet  for  last  year,  so  does  some 
others ; and  as  no  regular  acc^®  were  kept  of  these  things,  the 
money  will  be  lost ; for  which  reason,  except  as  above,  let  no 
Mares  or  Jennies  be  taken  away  without  payment. — After 
knowing  these  to  be  the  terms  on  which  the  Jacks  and  horse 
cover,  those  who  do  not  comply  with  them,  mean  not  to  pay 
at  all,  unless  compelled  : and  to  bring  suits  will  not  be  agree- 
able.— 

You  would  do  well  to  shew  the  horse  at  Public  places. — 
April  Court  at  Alexandria  would  be  a proper  time  and  place, 
as  it  happens  on  Easter  Monday, — when,  probably,  many 
people  will  be  there. — 

I find  by  Mr.  Lewis’s  account,  that  the  new  Yisto  is  opened 
much  farther  than  I had  the  least  intention  to  do.  I had 
no  idea  of  extending  it  farther  than  the  other  was ; — at  no 
rate  beyond  Muddy  hole  Branch. — Cease  opening  it  any  fur- 
ther until  I can  see  it,  and  let  me  know  how  far  it  is  got,  and 
what  has  been  done  with  the  Wood  that  was  cut  down  in  its 
course  ? — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


49 


Buy  as  much  good  Oznabrigs  in  Alexandria  as  wiJl  enable 
the  Gardener’s  wife  to  proceed  in  making  linen  clothes  for 
the  bTegros ; — and  let  me  know  on  what  terms  you  can  get  a 
full  supply,  that  I may  judge  whether  it  would  be  best  to  get 
the  whole  quantity  there,  or  send  it  from  hence. — To  know 
the  width  of  the  linnen,  and  if  possible  to  obtain  a sample  of 
it,  would  enable  me  to  decide  with  more  accuracy. — 

The  price  of  Midlings  and  Ship  stuff  in  Alexandria  is 
greatly  below  the  selling  price  in  this  market ; especially  the 
first,  which  is  5|-  dollars  the  barrel  of  196  lbs — and  the  latter, 
from  a dollar  and  half  to  two  dollars  p’’  hundred — but  as 
these  articles  never  are  as  high  there  as  here,  you  must  en- 
quire the  most  favorable  season  to  dispose  of  them,  and  do  it 
to  the  best  advantage. — Keep  me  informed  from  time  to 
time  of  the  prices  of  Superfine  and  fine  flour,  that  I may 
know  when  to  strike,  for  mine ; — and  ask  the  Miller  why  he 
does  not,  as  usual,  note  in  his  weekly  returns  the  number  of 
barrels  he  has  packed  of  all  the  different  kinds. — 

I forgot  to  observe  to  you  in  time,  that  if  all  the  fields  in- 
tended for  Crops  this  year  could  not  be  flushed  up  in  due 
season,  to  let  those  intended  for  Corn  be  left  to  the  last  and 
listed  only,  rather  than  the  work  of  the  spring  should  be  re- 
tarded, and  the  Crops  put  in  late ; in  order  to  flush  up  the 
whole. — You  must  act  in  this  respect  now  from  circum- 
stances, and  your  own  view  of  things. — Had  the  ground  been 
broke  up  in  tlie  fall,  the  amelioration  it  would  have  received 
from  the  frosts  of  the  winter  would  have  been  of  infinite 
service. — Kow  ; except  the  work  is  forwarded  by  it,  I do  not 
believe  the  Corn  will  receive  any  benefit  from  a flush  plow- 
ing. 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend, 

G®  Washington. 

P.  S. 

How  does  the  drilled  Wheat  look  ? 

4 


50 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XIY. 

Philadelphia  9^^  Mar.  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce 

Your  letter  of  the  3*^  inst^  is  this  moment  received. — The 
badness  of  the  roads  has  occasioned  irregularity  in  the  Post. 

I approve  your  repairing  my  house  in  Alexandria  with  my 
own  People  (preparing  everything  that  can  be,  at  home)  and 
of  your  doing  it  in  the  manner  proposed  ; — that  is,  to  board 
between  the  houses  in  a neat  and  workman  like  manner  and 
to  do  the  three  sides  of  the  lot  with  White  Oak  Posts  and 
Pails,  well  executed. — Do  not  let  the  Posts  be  too  far 
distant  from  each  other — when  this  is  the  case  the  rails  are 
apt  to  warp,  and  the  fence  is  weakened  by  it. 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  Green  has,  at  length  put  a finish 
to  the  Barn  at  Dogue  run  farm. — I always  supposed  that 
shutters  would  be  necessary  to  keep  the  weather  from  the 
floors,  in  driving  Pain  or  Snow,  and  for  comfort  when  work- 
ing there  when  it  is  very  cold,  but  these  are  soon  done;  and 
should  be  made  to  hang  on  substantial  iron  hooks,  that  when 
light,  or  air  is  wanting,  they  may  be  raised  up ; and  hung  to 
the  foot  of  the  rafters. — If  the  windows  below  want  shutters, 
the  same  may  be  done,  and  hung  to  the  joice. — But  shovel- 
ing the  grain  as  it  falls  from  the  treading  floor,  into  the 
middle  or  octagon  part  of  the  building,  will  always  preserve 
it  from  the  weather. — I want  much  to  know  how  this  mode 
of  treading  wheat  answers. — 

If  you  conceive  the  Lucern  in  the  Spring  lot  will  come  to 
anything,  I am  well  content  that  it  should  remain  as  it  is, 
with  the  dressing  you  propose  to  give  it. — I directed  seed  to 
be  saved  last  year  from  that  which  grew  in  the  Inclosure 
opposite  to  it,  but  whether  it  was  done  or  not  I am  unable  to 
say ; — if  it  was  not  I will  send  you  two  or  three  pounds  to 
sprinkle  over  the  ground. — Punning  a harrow  over  the  lot 
backwards  and  forwards,  and  every  way  in  short,  will  do  no 


AXD  MOUXT  VERNON. 


51 


injury  to  the  Lucern  as  it  has  a long  tap  root,  but  may 
tare  weeds  and  grass  up,  and  prepare  it  better  for  fresh 
seed. — The  St.  Foin  and  India  hemp  may  be  sown  in  tlie 
lot  which  you  have  mentioned,  as  more  secure  perhaps  than 
the  other,  against  Hares ; — but  how  they  will  be  annoyed  by 
fowls  you  can  judge  better  of  than  I. — I wish  to  have  the 
most  that  can  be  made  of  them. — 

It  is  very  unlucky  that  the  state  of  the  ^Navigation  has 
been  such  as  to  prevent  my  sending  you  the  Clover  and 
other  Seeds ; — a vessel  is  now  up,  and  talks  of  sailing  this 
week  for  Alexandria,  by  which  the  things  shall  be  sent.  I 
hope  what  Clover  seed  you  had  (as  you  have  pronounced  it 
good)  has  already  been  sown  on  the  grain,  as  far  as  it  would 
go,  as  was  directed. 

I am  Your  friend  &c^ 

Washington. 


XY. 

Philadelphia  16*^  March  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce 

Your  letter  of  the  11^^  with  its  enclosures  came  to  hand  at 
the  usual  time ; but  not  so  as  that,  enquiry  co^^  be  made  into 
the  prices  of  linnen,  and  you  to  be  informed,  by  the  Post  of 
tomorrow  (this  day  being  Sunday) — Go  on  therefore,  until 
you  hear  further  from  me,  to  get  linnen  as  fast  as  it  can  be 
worked  up. — The  11-^*^  linen  is  as  good  as  any  for  the  boys, 
girls  and  small  people,  who  do  little  or  no  work. — 

I was  afraid  to  make  the  interstices  between  the  pieces  of 
the  treading  floor  of  the  new  barn  at  Hogue  run  to  open,  lest 
the  straw  should  work  into  them,  and  choke  the  passage  of 
the  grain  to  the  lower  floor ; — or  to  emit  so  much  straw  be- 
tween them,  to  that  floor,  as  to  make  the  difficulty  of  cleaning 
the  grain  much  greater. — Avoiding  these  two  evils,  the  floor 


52 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


cannot  be  too  open,  provided  the  horses  feet,  or  legs  are  not 
endangered ; and  tliis  is  not  likely  to  liappen  unless  the  pieces 
were  so  far  apart  as  for  the  hoof  to  pass  through,  or  turn. — 
If  the  section,  or  part  of  a section  which  you  have  left  an 
inch  apart,  is  not  apt  to  choke  or  pass  too  much  straw 
through,  try  another  section  at  an  inch  and  a half  and  so  on, 
section  after  section,  until  you  hit  the  mark  exactly ; and 
then  regulate  all  the  sections  accordingly. — This  had  better 
be  done  whilst  you  have  Wheat  with  to  make  the  experi- 
ment : — and  without  loss  of  time,  as  not  only  an  immediate 
advantage  is  to  be  derived  from  the  hest  distance  the  pieces 
can  be  placed  a sunder,  but  that  I may  know  better  how  to 
order  another. — 

Let  the  drilled  wheat  have  all  the  cultivation  you  can  give 
it,  with  convenience,  that  the  most  that  can,  may  be  made 
of  it. 

The  Clover  Seed,  Furze  and  other  articles,  are  on  board 

the  Sally  Capt. for  Alexandria,  the  first  Vessel  that  has 

offered  since  the  breaking  up  of  the  frost. — It  is  much  to  be 
regretted  that  the  delay  has  been  so  great,  but  it  was  impos- 
sible to  avoid  it. 

I would  not,  by  any  means,  have  you  sow  the  Eastern  shore 
Oats — if  these  are  what  you  depend  upon  CoP  Gilpin^  to  get ; — 
because  these,  besides  being  almost  as  light  as  bran,  are  rarely, 
if  ever,  free  from  the  Onion  or  wild  garlick ; with  which  my 
fields  abound  too  much  already,  from  this  very  cause. — I had 
rather  the  ground  intended  for  this  Crop  should  receive  Buck 
Wheat,  or  any  thing  else; — or  indeed  nothing;  rather  than 
be  sown  with  such  Oats  as  are  generally  brought  to  Alexan- 
dria from  the  Eastern  shore  of  Virginia. — It  is  possible  you 
may  get  some  Oats  from  Notley  Young  Esq*"  near  George 
Town. — These  will  be  good. — 

I send  you  a few  seeds  of  the  Nankeen  Cotton. — let  them 

’ This  Alexandria  merchant  was  one  of  the  pall-bearers  at  Washington’s 
funeral. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


53 


be  planted  the  first  day  of  May  in  light  and  rich  ground,  well 
prepared. — Put  four  seeds  in  a hill. — 

I am  Your  friend 


P.  S. 


G®  Washington. 


I have  wrote  CoP  Ball,  and  my  Nephew  Mr.  Eobert  Lewis,' 
that  they  are  vrelcome  to  send  a Mare  or  two  each,  to  either 
of  the  Jacks  or  the  Horse. 


March  17^^ 


Turn  over. 


P.  S.  The  Vessel  is  not  yet  gone  which  has  my  seeds  on 
board ; — and  as  she  has  been  going  every  day  for  ten  days 
past  there  is  no  saying  when  she  will  go. — The  Capt''  now 
says  tomorrow. — He  has  promised  to  land  them,  if  he  can, 
as  he  passes  Mount  Vernon ; — if  not  they  are  to  be  landed  at 
CoP  Gilpin’s  Warehouse. — the  Capt“  has  one  Bill  of  Lading, 
and  another  goes  by  this  days  Post  to  CoP  Gilpin. — The  two 
small  Kegs  contain  the  French  furse  seeds — Nuts  and  Garden 
Seeds;  the  two  last  may  be  given  to  the  Gardener;  the  other 
you  and  Butler  will  manage  as  you  shall  judge  best. — 

One  of  the  Casks  contains  five  buslP  of  Plaster  of  Paris; 
which  try  on  some  of  the  clover,  to  see  the  effect — at  the  rate 
of  about  5 busK®  to  the  acre — spread  a breadth,  and  leave  a 
breadth,  alternately ; to  shew  more  clearly,  if  any,  what  effect 
it  will  have. 

G.  W. 

* Robert  Lewis  (1769-1829)  son  of  Washington’s  only  sister,  Betty  (Mrs. 
Fielding  Lewis  of  Fredericksburg,  Va. ),  was  the  president’s  first  private 
Secretary,  and  escorted  his  family  to  New  York  after  the  inauguration 
(1789)— of  which  journey  he  wrote  an  amusing  diary  now  owned  by  his 
grand-daughter,  Mrs.  Ella  Bassett  Washington.  He  was  succeeded  in  his 
secretaryship  by  his  brother  Howell  (1792).  He  married  Judith  Browne, 
and  settled  at  Spring  Hill,  near  Warrenton,  Fauquier  Co.,  Va.  He  was  tem- 
porarily manager  at  Mount  Vernon,  but  afterwards  Washington’s  general 
business  agent,  collecting  rents,  etc.  His  account-book,  for  inspection  of 
which  I am  indebted  to  his  grand-daughter  already  mentioned,  is  continued 
to  his  uncle’s  death,  and  shows  activity  in  his  affairs.  He  subsequently 
settled  in  Fredericksburg,  of  which  town  he  was  mayor  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  (Appendix  E.) 


54: 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XYI. 

Philadelphia  23*^  March  1794:. 

Mk.  Peaece 

The  weekly  reports,  and  your  letter  of  the  18*^  instant, 
came  regularly  to  hand. 

The  insufferable  neglects  of  my  Overseers  in  not  plowing 
as  they  ought  to  have  done  in  the  Pall,  begins  now  to  be 
manifest ; for  I perceive  by  the  account  given  of  the  plowing, 
that  I am  driven  to  the  alternative  of  putting  my  Oats  into 
ground  not  half  plowed,  and  prepared,  and  thereby  little  to 
expect  from  it ; — or,  in  order  to  do  this,  be  so  late  in  sowing, 
as  to  hazard  an  entire  loss  of  the  Crop,  if  the  spring  is  not 
very  moist  and  dripping ; for  I have  seldom  succeeded  with 
Oats  unless  they  were  sown  before  the  middle  of  March. — 

It  did  not  occur  to  me  in  time,  to  advise  running  the  rollers 
over  your  grass  grounds,  and  even  the  AYheat,  after  the  frost 
had  come  fairly  out  of  the  earth ; nothing  would  have  re- 
covered both  more. — The  roots  (even  of  that  which  had  been 
thrown  entirely  out)  would  have  been  pressed  in  such  a man- 
ner to  the  earth  as  to  have  shot  forth  fibres  to  restore  the 
plant. — Xow,  I presume  it  is  too  late. — 

I do  not,  in  the  first  place  believe  Spring  Barley  is  to  be 
had  in  that  part  of  the  Country,  as  little  of  it  is  grown  there ; 
— and  in  the  next  place,  it  is  not  likely  it  would  succeed,  as  I 
tried  it  two  or  three  years  unsuccessfully. — If  it  is  to  be  had 
at  all,  it  is  most  likely  to  come  from  YTayles  the  Brewer  in 
Alexandria  ; and  you  might,  as  Oats  are  scarce,  make  another 
experiment,  if  Seed  is  to  be  had. — How  does  the  Winter 
Barley  look  ? 

I am  sorry  to  find  CoP  Ball  is  so  tardy  in  forwarding  the 
B.  Wheat — I shall  remind  him  of  it  by  to-morrow’s  Post. — 
What  quantity  of  Wheat  is  supposed  to  be  in  the  Straw  at 
the  several  farms  ? — Before  it  is  all  out  at  Dogue  run,  take 
up  one  section  after  another  and  new  lay  it,  ’till  you  are  able 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


55 


to  ascertain  the  true  distance  the  pieces  ought  to  be  assunder  ; 
for  the  reasons  mentioned  to  you  in  a former  letter; — attend- 
ing particularly  to  the  circumstance  I mentioned,  and  am 
apprehensive  of, — viz — that  of  the  straw  working  between 
and  choaking. — 

Mr.  Smith  has,  I believe,  been  furnished  with  fish  from 
my  landing,  and  if  he  will  give  as  much  as  another,  ought  to 
have  the  preference ^but  before  you  positively  engage, 
enquire  what  the  other  fisheries  are  disposed  to  sell  at. — 4/. 
p’^  thousand  for  Herrings,  and  10/.  p’^  hundred  for  shad,  is 
very  low. — I am,  at  this  moment,  paying  6/.  a piece  for  every 
shad  I buy. — I am  entirely  against  any  Waggons  coming  to 
my  landing ; — but  there  is  one  thing  which  Mr.  Smith,  or  any 
other  with  whom  you  engage,  must  perfectly  understand,  if 
they  agree  to  take  all  (over  what  I want  for  my  own  use) 
that  is,  when  the  glut  of  the  fish  runs,  he  must  be  provided 
to  take  every  one  I do  not  want,  or  have  them  thrown  on  his 
hands : the  truth  of  the  case  is,  that  in  the  height  of  the 
fishery,  they  are  not  prepared  to  cure,  or  otherwise  dispose  of 
them,  as  fast  as  they  could  be  caught  / of  course  the  Seins 
slacken  in  their  work,  or  the  fish  lye  and  spoil,  when  that  is 
the  only  time  I can  make  anything  by  the  Sein — for  small 
hauls  will  hardly  pay  the  ware  and  tare  of  the  Sein  and  the 
hire  of  the  hands — your  account  of  the  deficiency  of  Sein 
rope  would  have  surprized  me  if  it  had  not  been  of  piece 
with  the  rest  of  the  conduct  which  has  waisted  every  thing  I 
had,  almost : — whatever  is  necessary  must  be  got,  and  I sliall 
Depend  upon  your  care  and  attention,  now,  to  guard  me 
against  destruction  of  my  property,  while  it  is  entrusted  to 
your  management. — 

Secure  a sufiiciency  of  fish  for  the  use  of  my  own  people 
from  the  first  that  comes, — otherwise  they  may  be  left  in 
the  lurch,  as  has  been  the  case  heretofore,  by  depending 
on  what  is  called  the  glut. 

What  quantity  of  Wheat  have  you  yet  in  the  straw,  ac- 


56 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


cording  to  the  conjectures  of  the  Overseers,  at  whose  farms 
it  is  ? — If  you  can  get  Six  dollars  a barrel  for  the  superfine, 
and  thirty  four  shil^  for  the  common  flour,  in  good  hands, 
let  it  go,  at  Sixty  days  credit. — 

I have  25  of  Tobacco  in  the  Ware  houses  in  Alexandria  ; 
— examine  what  condition  they  lye  in,  and  see  that  they  are 
safe.  Xot  having  been  able  to  obtain  the  price  I set  upon 
them  they  have  lain  there  five  or  six  years,  at  least. — I have 
held  these  at  a guinea  a hundred,  and  would  take  it. 

Is  your  family  arrived  at  Mount  Y ernon  ? — you  have  said 
nothing  about  them  in  your  last  letters. — 

The  Vessel  with  the  Clover  Seed  Ac^  left  this  City  on 
Tuesday  last,  and  is,  I hope,  with  you  before  this. — An- 
other goes  tomorrow,  on  board  which  I send  you  (directed  to 
the  care  of  CoP  Gilpin)  nine  bolts  of  Oznabrigs,  finding  it 
cheaper  to  buy  here  than  in  Alexandria. — 

Enclosed  you  have  a bond  of  CoP  Lyles,  who  lives  on 
Broad  Creek  (between  you  and  Alexandria) — receive  the 
amount  with  interest  to  the  day  of  payment,  and  place  it 
to  my  credit. — If  the  money  is  wanting  for  paying  the  Over- 
seers, or  for  other  purposes,  it  may  be  applied  accordingly ; 
otherwise,  when  more  can  be  added  to  it,  I will  direct  the 
application  another  way. — Remember  it  is  Virginia  money 
you  are  to  receive  that  is  dollars  at  Six  shillings. — The 
readiest  way  of  getting  to  CoP  Lyles  is  in  your  own  Boat ; 
— and  by  so  doing  you  can  touch  at  the  fishing  landings 
between,  and  learn  their  expectations  with  respect  to  the 
prices  of  Fish. 

I send  you  3 lbs  of  Lucern  Seed  to  sprinkle  over  the  Spring  . 
lot.  where  the  former  orrew. — The  £:roimd  oiicrht  to  be  well 
torn  with  a sharp  toothed  harrow,  in  order  to  prepare  it  for 
the  Seed,  otherwise  much  of  it  will  miss. — 

With  CoP  Lyles  bond  I send  you  a letter  to  him,  which 
seal  before  delivery ; — you  have  also  a statement  of  the  ac- 
count, as  far  as  I have  any  knowledge  of  it. — Receive  nothing 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


57 


short  of  the  whole  sum  which  is  due ; ^ unless  you  have  no 
other  means  of  discharging  any  demands  upon  me, — for  re- 
ceiving a bond  in  driblets,  is,  in  a manner,  sinking  it ; — and 
the  amount  of  this  bond,  if  it  can  be  spared  from  other  uses, 
I want  to  apply  in  discharge  of  another  bond,  which  is  also 
carrying  interest. — 

I am 

Your  friend  <fec*^ 

G*’  Washington. 


XYII. 

Philadelphia  Mar.  30^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  Keports,  and  your  letter  of  the  25^^  inst^  have  been 
duly  rec^. 

If  you  are  satisfied  from  repeated  trials,  that  the  pieces  of 
the  treading  floor  at  Dogue-run  Farm,  are  well  placed  at  an 
inch  and  half  a part,  it  would  be  well  to  lay  them  all  at  that 
distance ; that  you  may  derive  as  much  benefit  as  you  can 
from  it  in  the  present  Crop,  and  that  it  may  be  ready  against 
the  next  year. 

The  Oats  might  also  be  tread  out  on  the  same  floor ; and 
the  sooner  the  better,  as  you  will  then  know  precisely  the 
quantity  which  you  wilHiave  to  depend  upon, — and  when 
known,  inform  me  thereof. — I have  three  and  half  bush^®  of 
a peculiar  kind  of  Oats  wdiich  I will  send  by  the  first  vessel 
bound  to  Alexandria  : — unfortunately  they  came  to  my  hands 

’ There  is  a local  tradition  that  Washington  carried  his  idea  of  exactness 
to  the  extent  of  refusing  to  receive  payments  in  any  form  which  required 
change  to  be  given,  and  that  he  was  known  to  send  a debtor  back  over  the 
eight  miles  to  Alexandria  that  he  might  bring  the  exact  sum  owed.  The 
fluctuations  attending  the  value  of  Virginia  pounds  during  the  transition  to 
decimal  currency  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  this.  On  the  other 
hand  he  was  equally  rigid  with  himself  in  all  that  affected  the  rights  of 
others,  and  had  bpen  known  to  ride  through  rough  weather  to  Alexandria  * 
and  back,  to  have  his  feet  measured,  rather  than  have  the  shoemaker  travel 
to  his  house. 


58 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


too  late  for  the  Vessels  which  have  lately  departed  from 
hence  for  that  Port ; but  I would  have  you  reserve  and  keep 
about  two  acres  of  ground  in  a good  state  of  preparation  for 
sowing  the  moment  the  seed  shall  reach  you. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  your  drilled  and  other  Wheat,  makes  but 
an  indifferent  appearance. — I was  in  hopes  such  extreame  fine 
weather  as  we  have  had  during  the  whole  month  of  March 
would  have  occasioned  a pleasing  change  in  both. — As  grain 
puts  on  different  looks  at  this  season,  according  as  the 
weather,  while  growing,  happens  to  be,  let  me  know  from 
time  to  time  how  mine  comes  on. — If  it  stands  thick  enough 
on  the  ground,  such  uncommon  mildness  and  warmth  as  we 
have  had  since  February,  must  have  recovered  that  Crop 
greatly,  as  well  as  the  Winter  Barley. 

I doubted  the  Gardeners  information  at  first,  when  you  re- 
ported a pottle  of  Foin  seed ; because  the  few  plants 
could  not  bare  so  much  ; — and  next,  because  he  did  not  take 
care  in  time  to  save  what  they  did  bare. — Be  the  little  or 

much,  make  the  most  of  them  and  of  the  Hemp — and  the 
other  seed  he  took  for  Foin  that  you  are  able. 

Let  Abram  get  his  deserts  when  taken,  by  way  of  example ; 
but  do  not  trust  to  Crow  to  give  it  him ; — for  I have  reason 
to  believe  he  is  swayed  more  by  passion  than  by  judgment  in 
all  his  corrections. 

All  the  labour  that  can  be  spared  from  more  pressing  and 
important  work  should  be  employed  on  the  Mill  Pace  ; other- 
wise when  the  springs  get  low  you  will  have  no  water  for 
grinding ; it  being  but  a poor  stream  at  best,  and  many  leaks 
in  the  old  part  which  will  be  avoided  by  the  new,  whilst  those 
in  other  parts  of  the  race  should  be  carefully  sought  after, 
and  effectually  stopped. — 

If  my  Sister  Lewis  of  Fredericksburgh ' should  send  for  it. 


1 Betty,  his  only  sister,  (1733-1797,)  concerning  whom  see  Introduction, 
and  Portrait. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


59 


let  her  have  one  of  the  un broke  Mules  of  midling  quality 
and  size. 

I am  Your  friend 

W ASHENGTON. 


XYIII. 

Philadelphia  April  6^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  and  Reports  of  the  instant  I have  received, 
and  am  glad  to  find  by  the  first  that  you  harve  got  your  family 
safe  to  Mount  Yernon;  as,  unquestionably,  it  will  be  a satis- 
faction to  you  to  have  them  along  with  you. — Change  of  air 
may,  and  I hope  will,  restore  your  eldest  daughter  to  health 
a2:ain. 

I had  no  doubt  but  that  the  late  capture  of  our  Yessels  by 
the  British  Cruisers,  followed  by  the  Embai-go  which  has 
been  laid  on  the  Shipping  in  our  Ports,  naturally  occasion 
a temporary  fall  in  the  article  of  provisions ; — jeU  as  there 
are  the  same  mouths  to  feed  as  before ; — as  the  demand,  con- 
sequently, will  be  as  great ; — and  as  the  Crops  in  other  parts 
of  the  w^orld  will  not  be  increased  by  these  means,  I have  no 
doubt  at  all,  but  that,  as  soon  as  the  present  impediments  are 
removed  the  prices  of  fiour  will  rise  to  what  it  has  been  (at 
least)  for  which  reasonjiold  mine  up  to  the  prices  mentioned 
in  my  last ; and  if  they  are  offered,  make  a provisory  agree- 
ment, to  be  ratified,  or  not,  by  me ; — an  answer  to  which  can 
be  obtained  in  a week.* — With  respect  to  the  Wheat  on  hand, 
you  must  (if  you  hear  nothing  to  the  contrary  from  me)  be 

^ On  the  6 Nov.  1793  England  issued  a “ Provision  Order,”  for  seizing 
neutral  ships  carrying  supplies  to  France  (with  which  country  it  was  at  war) 
or  to  French  colonies.  The  Order  was  partially  revoked,  on  the  remon- 
strance of  the  Secretary  of  State  (Randolph),  news  of  the  revocation  having 
reached  Philadelphia  on  4 April  1794, — two  days  before  the  date  of  this 
letter.  On  the  date  of  this  letter  (April  6)  the  Secretary  urged  on  the  Presi- 
dent the  policy  of  sending  a special  envoy  te  England  to  make  reclamations 
for  the  spoliations  alluded  to  in  the  te.xt.  This  i)olicy  was  decided  on,  Mr. 
Jay  being  sent,  his  mission  resulting  in  a Commercial  Treaty. 


60 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


governed  by  circumstances  and  your  own  j udgment,  in  getting 
it  out  of  the  straw ; — but,  at  any  rate,  remove  it  into  the 
Barns  for  the  purpose  of  threshing  in  weather  when  the 
people  cannot  work  out. — 

"When  salt,  or  any  other  article  of  which  you  are  in  want, 
gets  to  a high  price,  provide  for  the  present  occasion  only 
unless  there  is  a moral  certainty  of  their  rising  still  higher ; 
in  that  case  prudence  would  direct  otherwise. — 

It  was  not  my  expectation  that  either  grass  or  grain  could 
be  rolled  at  the  expence  of  stopping  the  Ploughs;  conse- 
quently, if  the  Oxen  were  not  in  a condition  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  work  the  execution  of  it  was  not  to  be 
expected : — but  is  not  this  an  instance  among  a variety  of 
others,  of  the  impolicy  of  not  breaking  a great  number  of 
Steers  at  each  of  the  Farms?  which  would  prevent  the  few 
that  are  broke  from  being  reduced  too  low  for  the  services 
thereof. — Twenty  Oxen  are  not  more  expensive  than  ten 
broke,  and  ten  unbroke  Steers,  because  you  feed  them  as 
Oxen  only  when  they  are  worked ; and  unbroke  Steers  must 
be  fed,  as  well  as  Oxen  (though  not  in  the  same  manner)  at 
other  times. — By  this  means  there  never  would  be  a want  of 
draught  Cattle  for  Cart,  Harrow  or  Boiler. — 

How  does  the  young  grass  which  was  sown  in  the  new 
meadows,  last  fall,  and  the  Clover  come  on  ? — "Was  the  latter 
injured  much  by  the  Winter? 

Besides  the  number  of  Stacks  which  are  yet  in  Wheat,  I 
wanted  to  know  what  those  stacks  are  supposed  to  contain ; — 
and  this  the  Overseers,  by  comparing  the  size  of  them  with 
those  which  have  been  tread  out,  may  certainly  give  a pretty 
near  guess  at. — 

The  three  bushels  and  half  of  Oats,  mentioned  to  you  in 
my  last,  are  not  of  such  superior  quality  as  I had  been  led  to 
expect  from  the  account  given  of  them  ; — yet,  notwithstand- 
ing, ground  may  be  kept  sometime  longer  for  them,  or  until 
you  hear  fm’ther  from  me,  on  this  head. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


61 


The  imposition  with  respect  to  the  Garden  seeds,  is  very 
unjustifiable ; — ’tis  infinately  worse  than  simple  robbei-y,  for 
there  you  loose  your  money  only^  but  when  it  is  given  for 
bad  seed  you  lose  your  money,  your  labour  in  preparing  for 
the  reception  of  them, — and  a whole  season. — 

Cloaths  must  be  provided  for  the  Young  Gardener  at  Alex- 
andria.— Those  for  work  to  be  strong,  and  substantial. — Sun- 
day, or  holliday  Cloaths  to  be  decent,  and  such  as  may  please 
without  going  to  more  expence  than  is  necessary : — but  of 
the  latter  class  I should  conceive  he  can  be  in  no  want  now^ 
unless  he  has  made  an  improper  use  of  a whole  suit  (of  very 
good  Cloaths)  which  were  given  to  him  the  latter  end  of 
October  last. — 

I am  sorry  to  find  that  my  chance  for  Lambs  this  year,  is 
so  bad. — It  does  not  appear  to  me  by  the  Reports  that  I shall 
have  more  than  a third  of  what  I had  last  year : — what  this 
can  be  ascribed  to  is  beyond  my  comprehension,  unless  it  be 
for  want  of  Rams,  or  bad  Rams. — Let  therefore,  at  Shearing 
time,  a selection  of  the  best  formed,  and  otherwise  promising 
ram  lambs  be  set  apart  (in  sufficient  numbers)  to  breed  from ; 
and  when  they  are  fit  for  it,  cut  the  old  ones  and  turn  them 
aside,  to  be  disposed  of. — 

At  Shearing  time  also,  let  there  be  a thorough  culling  out, 
of  all  the  old,  and  indifferent  sheep  from  the  fiocks  that 
they  may  be  disposed  of,  and  thereby  save  me  the  mortifica- 
tion of  hearing  every  week  of  their  death  ! — which  is  the 
more  vexatious  as  I was  taught  to  believe  that  every  indiffer- 
ent sheep  was  drawn  for  this  purpose  last  Spring,  notwith- 
standing the  loss  of  them  which  has  been  sustained  the  past 
winter; — and  indeed  unto  the  present  moment. — 

When  you  go  next  to  Alexandria  take  the  exact  dimensions 
of  the  rooms  in  my  house  at  that  place,  that  I may  send  paper 
for  them. — Give  the  length  and  breadth  of  each — and  height 
from  the  wash  board  to  the  Chair  board  (as  they  are  commonly 
called)  and  thence  to  the  Cornish,  if  any,  with  the  doors  and 


62 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


windows,  and  size  of  them,  in  each  room  or  passage. — If  there 
is  occasion  to  make  good  the  plastering  in  any  of  the  rooms, 
no  white  wash  is  to  be  put  thereon  ; because  it  is  improper  for 
paper. — Thomas  Davis  must  paint  the  outsides  of  both  houses 
there ; the  lower  part  of  a stone  colour,  and  the  roofs  red. — 
The  Inside  of  the  dwelling  house  is  also  to  be  painted. — The 
whole  in  short  is  to  be  put  in  very  good,  and  decent  condi- 
tion.— If  the  planking  between  the  two  houses  is  plained,  this 
also  should  be  painted. — 

I am  Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

XIX. 

Philadelphia  20*^  April  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  with  the  weekly  reports,  came  to 
hand  as  usual,  yesterday. — I was  sorry  to  learn  by  the  first 
that  you  had  been  unwell. — 

It  is  almost  impossible  for  me  to  say,  with  exactness,  what 
I owe  the  Estate  of  Mr.  Anthony  Whitting,  because  his  ac- 
counts do  not  appear  to  have  been  regularly  kept,  but  rather 
in  detached  Mem”^®. — More  than  his  wages  from  the  first  of 
Jan^  until  the  day  of  his  death  (which  I think  was  about 
the  middle  of  June)  at  the  rate  of  One  hund"^  pounds  Yirg^ 
Curr^  p*^  annum,  I cannot  owe  him;  because  myXephew’ 
when  his  health  obliged  him  in  November  1792  to  spend  the 
Winter  with  his  father  in  law  CoP  Bassett,  paid  Mr.  Whitting, 
and  all  the  under  Overseers  (as  he  did  not  expect  to  be  back 


’ Col.  George  Augustine  Washington  (1763-1793)  to  whom  was  entrusted 
the  management  of  Mount  Vernon  when  Washington  entered  on  his  duties 
as  President  in  1789.  He  was  the  son  of  Charles  Washington  who  founded 
Charlestown,  Va.  In  his  will  Washington  writes  of  this  nephew  as  one 
“ who  from  his  youth  had  attached  himself  to  my  person,  and  followed  my 
fortunes  through  the  vicissitudes  of  the  late  Revolution — afterwards  devoting 
his  time  to  the  superintendence  of  my  private  concerns  for  many  years,  and 
always  performing  them  in  a manner  the  most  filial  and  respectful.” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


63 


again  if  ever,  in  less  than  Six  months)  their  full  wages  for  the 
year, — ending  the  last  of  December. — More  therefore  than 
from  the  close  of  that  year,  until  the  time  of  his  death,  in 
the  succeeding  one,  cannot,  as  I have  observed  before,  be  due 
to  the  Estate;  and  this,  rather  than  do  it  2i  j)ossihle  m]\xYy  ^ you 
may  pay  his  Ex^®  or  Adm^® ; although  (as  he  always  had  money 
of  mine  in  his  hands)  it  is  probable  he  might,  as  it  became  due 
to  him,  have  applied  part  to  his  own  use.  — 

With  respect  to  the  Bond  which  you  say  his  Ex^®  are  en- 
quiring after,  I never  saw,  or  heard  of  such  an  one ; except 
whilst  I was  in  Virginia  last ; when  I was  told  by  some  one, 
what  you  have  mentioned  in  your  letter. — Mr.  Lear  (who  at 
that  time  was  my  Secretary)  being  called  to  the  Federal  City 
on  business,  and  hearing  that  Mr.  Whitting  was  dead,  or  at  the 
point  of  death  (I  am  not  sure  which)  and  knowing  that  my 
affairs  at  Mount  Yernon  would,  by  this  event,  be  thrown  into 
great  disorder,  went  down  there  (which  he  had  not  intended 
to  do  when  he  left  PhiB)  and  remained  there  until  I got 
home ; at  which  time  he  gave  me  all  the  Papers  he  had  found 
belonging  to  Mr.  Whitting.* — The  private  papers  in  one  bun- 
dle— and  those  which  concerned  my  business  in  another. — In 
neither  of  these  was  there  any  bond,  nor  did  I ever  hear  the 
circumstance  mentioned,  until  I went  to  Virginia  last  Fall. — 
If  such  a bond  did  exist, dt  certainly  can  be  no  difficult  matter 
to  learn  from  whom  it  was  obtained ; — and  whether  it  has 


’ Tobias  Lear,  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  a graduate  of  Harvard  University, 
was  introduced  to  Washington  by  Gen.  Lincoln.  He  became  tutor  to  the 
Custis  children,  was  treated  as  a member  of  the  family.  His  first  wife  was 
Miss  Long  of  Portsmouth;  his  2d.,  the  widow  of  George  Aug.  Washington  ; 
his  third,  Frances  Dandridge  Henley,  a niece  of  Washington’s  wife.  After 
serving  the  President  for  some  years  as  private  Secretary,  he  resided  on  an 
estate  leased  from  Washington  (360  acres,  east  of  Hunting  Creek)  which  was 
confirmed  to  him  for  life,  rent-free,  by  the  General’s  will.  It  was  charged 
that  the  various  foreign  missions  conferred  on  Lear  by  President  Jefferson, 
were  in  reward  for  the  destruction  of  such  of  the  papers  confided  to  him  by 
Washington,  on  his  deathbed,  as  might  have  compromised  Jefferson.  It  is 
supposed  that  he  committed  suicide. 


64 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


been  discharged,  or  not ; — if  discharged,  the  person  paying  it 
will  know  to  whom  ; — without  which  the  bond  will  be  of  no 
use  to  any  one. — All  Whitting’s  private  papers  were,  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection,  turned  over  to  Mr.  King;  who,  by  a 
non-cupitive  Will,  was  made  his  heir. 

I am  glad  to  find  you  are  upon  the  point  of  sowing  Buck 
Wheat  at  all  the  Farms. — It  is  essential  it  should  be  in  the 
ground  without  delay,  if  two  Crops  are  to  be  plowed  in,  before 
the  Wheat  is  sown  thereon. — Does  the  Oats  which  you  have 
sown,  and  the  grass-seeds,  come  up  well  ? and  how  are  your 
seasons,  and  the  temper  of  the  ground  ? — By  the  last  Reports 
you  appear  to  have  had  rain  twice  during  the  week  they  w^ere 
made. — In  this  neighbourhood  the  earth  is  dry,  and  rain 
wanting. — Did  you  allow  a plenty  of  seed  to  the  ground  that 
was  resown  with  grass,  as  well  as  the  other,  for  the  first  time. 

As  the  Embargo  is  continued  until  the  25*^^  of  next  month, 
I think  you  had  better  grind  no  more  Wheat  until  you  hear 
further  from  me ; and  let  that  which  is  in  the  straw,  remain 
there ; as  the  safest  mode  of  keeping  it ; unless  you  should 
discover  an  appearance  of  the  fly  about  the  stacks ; — in  that 
case,  it  might  be  proper  to  get  it  out,  and  grind  it  as  speedily 
as  possible. — 

I do  not  know  how  much  ground  you  have  sown  with 
flax ; but  as  there  is  no  foreseeing  what  our  disputes  may  end 
in,  it  is  my  wish  that  you  would  add  a good  deal  more  (if  not 
too  late)  to  what  you  have  already  sown ; that,  let  what  will 
happen,  I may  make  a shift  to  cloath  my  Kegros.* — This 


1 This  was  written  on  the  day  when  Mr.  Jay  received  notice  of  his  appoint- 
ment as  envoy  to  Great  Britain,  a post  to  which  he  had  been  nominated 
April  16.  Although  the  Provision  Order  of  England,  and  the  retaliatory 
Embargo,  were  ending,  the  relations  between  the  two  countries  were  much 
strained  by  English  menaces  on  the  Canadian  frontier.  The  internal  peace 
of  the  country  was  threatened  by  disturbances  in  Kentucky  caused  by  con- 
tinuance of  the  Spanish  occupation  beyond  the  Mississippi.  An  insurrec- 
tion there  was,  indeed,  narrowly  escaped.  The  dangers  of  both  foreign  and 
civil  war  were  imminent. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


65 


makes  it  peculiarly  necessary  also  to  be  extremely  attentive 
to  the  Wool ; for  I am  satisfied  that  a tenth  part  of  what  is 
sheared,  in  bringing  it  home,  and  after  it  is  in  the  usual  place, 
where  it  is  kept,  is  stolen  from  me. — To  guard  against  both 
these  modes  of  pilferring,  will  require  much  caution,  and  a 
strict  watch. — Has [remainder  missing] 


XX. 

Philadelphia  April  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  22*^  instant  with  its  enclosures  came  duly 
to  hand. — 

Thomas  Green’s  account  of  the  dimensions  of  the  Pooms 
in  my  house  in  Alexandria,  is  so  confused  and  perplexed, 
that  I can  make  neither  head  nor  tail  of  it. — The  lencjth, 
breadth  and  height  of  each,  with  the  distance  from  the  wash- 
board to  the  Chair  board,  and  the  number  of  doors  find  win- 
dows in  each  room,  was  all  I wanted ; instead  of  these  he  has 
attempted  to  draw  a plan  which  no  one  can  understand,  and 
has  given  an  explanation  of  it  that  is  still  more  incomprehen- 
sible.— 

I am  very  glad  to  find  that  you  have  caused  so  much  fiax 
seed  to  be  sown  as  appears  from  the  Memorandum  sent  to 
me ; — but  have  you  not  departed  from  the  plan  which  was  to 
regulate  the  grass  lots  at  Dogue-run  Farm? — As  well  as  I 
recollect,  these  were  to  succeed  each  other  in  Potatoes — and 
one  after  another  to  be  sown  with  Oats  and  Clover ; and  this 
rotine  was  to  be  persevered  in. — As  the  case  now  is,  neither 
the  lot  East  of  the  Xew  Barn,  nor  that  in  number  3,  can  be 
touched  next  year ; and  neither  of  them,  I fear,  will  be  in 
condition  to  yield  much  clover. — My  intention  with  respect  to 
these  lots  was,  by  soiling  the  Plow  horses  with  the  Clover, 
cut  green,  to  save  the  great  expense  of  grain. — By  having  one 
of  them  therefore  in  Potatoes ; another  in  Oats,  sown  also 


66 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


with  Clover ; — and  the  third  in  Clover, — there  would  always 
have  been  one  (which  is  sufficient  for  this  purpose)  handy  to 
the  Stable  ; — more  would  be  unnecessary,  as  there  will  be 
such  a quantity  of  mowing  ground  on  the  Farm,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Stock, — the  Mansion  house,  and  for  sale. — 

Particular  attention  will  be  paid  I hope  to  penning  of  the 
Stock,  and  shifting  the  Pens — IN^othing  has  been  more 
neglected— general  as  neglects  have  hitherto  been  on  my 
estate — than  the  latter,  merely  to  avoid  the  trouble  of  re- 
moving them. — 

How  does  the  White  thorn  * * * cuttings  of  the 
Willow  and  other  sets  * * * have  been  put  out  this 
Spring,  look  * * * pear  to  have  taken,  and  to  be  in  A 

thriving  condition  ? — 

I mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  that  5000  plants  of  the 
White  thorn  was  to  be  sent  to  me,  by  Mr.  Lear  in  the  Ship 
Peggy,  from  London  to  George  Town.^  I have  advice  of  the 
Sailing  of  the  Ship,  and  hope  it  is  arrived. — Is  o time  should 
be  lost  in  getting  the  Plants  home  (to  M^  Vernon)  as  every 
day’s  delay  will  put  them  more  and  more  in  jeopardy. — Mr. 
Lear  in  his  last  letter  informs  me  that  he  had  by  the  same 
Vessel,  sent  some  fruit  trees  for  his  own  use,  w^^  he  requests 
my  care  of: — let  these  also  be  taken  to  Mount  Vernon  and 
put  into  a nursery  for  his  use  ; and  the  Gardeners  particular 
care  of  them  is  required. — 

I am  your  fidend  Ac^ 

G®  Washls-gtox. 
PS. 

With  this  letter  you  will  receive  a paper  of  Lima  beans, 
which  the  Gardener  will  plant  the  first  of  May,  seperate  from 
any  others ; — and  be  particularly  careful  of  them. — 

^ Tobias  Lear  had  gone  to  London  to  interest  capitalists  in  a scheme  for  a 
canal  between  Georgetown  and  the  upper  Potomac.  He  had  been  made 
President  of  the  Potomac  Navigation  Company  and  sent  abroad  that  the  eu' 
terprise  might  carry  some  of  the  prestige  of  Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


07 


XXL 

Philadelphia  May  4^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  29^^  ult®,  and  the  reports  which  were  en- 
closed, came  duly  to  hand. 

I am  sorry  to  find  by  the  first  that  the  Ship  Peggy  had 
not  then  arrived  at  George  Town,  from  London. — I fear  the 
White  thorn  Plants  (5,000  in  number)  which  I have  on 
board,  together  with  Mr.  Lears  fruit  Trees,  will  suffer  very 
much,  if  they  are  not  entirely  destroyed  ; by  the  advanced 
season.' — Let  the  ground  (wherever  the  first  are  to  go)  be 
prepared  for  their  reception,  that  no  time  which  can  be 
avoided,  may  be  lost  in  getting  them  into  it ; — as  to  the  lat- 
ter, that  is  the  fruit  trees,  there  cannot  be  many  of  them, 
consequently  no  previous  preparation  is  necessary,  for  their 
deposit. — 

I wish  you  had  discharged  Green  without  any  ceremony, 
when  you  found  him  drinking,  and  idling  his  time  away  ; — 
as  to  any  reliance,  on  his  promise  to  amend,  there  can  be  no 
sort  of  dependance : — for  it  has  been  found  that  he  is  grow- 
ing worse  and  worse  : The  consequence  of  which  is,  that  he 
dare  not  find  fault  with  those  who  are  entrusted  to  his  care, 
lest  they  sh*^  retort,  and  disclose  his  rascally  conduct ; by 
which  means  work  that  the  same  number  of  hands  w’ould 
perform  in  a week,  takes  mine  a month. — Xothing  but  com- 
pasion  for  his  helpless  family,  has  hitherto  induced  me  to 
keep  him  a moment  in  my  service  (so  bad  is  the  example  he 
sets) ; but  if  he  has  no  regard  for  them  himself,  it  is  not  to 
be  expected  that  I am  to  be  a continual  sufferer  on  this  acc*, 
for  his  misconduct. 

I never  could  get  an  account  of  the  Corn  made  on  my  Es- 

’ Tlie  English  thorns  did  not  thrive,  and  only  slight  traces  of  them  re* 


mam. 


6S 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


tate  last  year,  consequently  can  form  no  idea  of  the  quantity 
now  on  hand,  nor  of  the  prospect  there  is  of  its  carrying  me 
through  the  year. — At  any  rate  it  should  be  used  with  great 
care,  but  if  it  is  likely  to  run  short,  as  much  parsimony  should 
be  observed  as  can  comport  with  the  absolute  calls  for  it,  on 
the  farms,  as  I know  not  where  to  get  more ; and  should  find 
it  inconvenient  to  pay  for  it  if  I did. 

Does  the  first  sown  Buck  Wheat  come  up  well  ? — as  fast  as 
any  field,  or  lot  is  planted  with  Potatoes,  let  the  quantity 
which  has  been  used  therefor,  be  noted  in  the  Farm  Keport 
of  the  place  where  they  have  been  used. — To  plant  the  Pota- 
toes-whole is  best,  where  there  is  enough  of  them;  when 
there  is  not,  cutting  becomes  necessary,  and  should  then  be 
adopted. — 

In  the  Gardeners  report  is  a query,  if  Apricots  will  be 
wanting  to  preserve. — I answer  Ao. — for  the  situation  of 
public  business  now  is,  and  likely  to  remain  such,*  that  my 
family  will  not  be  able  to  spend  any  time  at  Mount  Ternon 
this  Summer — that  is — I cannot  do  it,  and  Mrs.  Washington 
would  not  chuse  to  be  there  without  me. — My  present  inten- 
tion is,  if  public  business  will  permit,  to  make  a flying  trip 
there  soon  after  the  rising  of  Congress  ; but  when  that  will 
be  is  more  than  I am  able  to  decide,  at  present. 

It  is  not  usual — nor  is  there  any  occasion — for  Papering 
the  ceiling  of  the  Boom,  or  rooms  (if  more  than  one  should 
be  papered)  in  the  House,  in  Alexandria. — 

• I am — Your  friend  Ac*^ 

Washington. 


^ Genet,  the  obnoxious  French  Minister,  having  been  recalled  from  this 
country,  and  Gouverneur  Morris  from  France,  the  administration  was  en- 
deavoring to  find  a Minister  to  France  who  could  quiet  the  jealousy  of  that 
country  awakened  by  the  mission  of  Jay  to  England.  At  the  same  time 
M.  Fauchet,  the  French  Minister  at  Philadelphia,  had  to  be  watched  and 
soothed.  A continual  exchange  of  sharp  diplomatic  letters  was  going  on 
with  both  the  French  and  the  English  Minister,  relations  with  their  coun- 
tries being  much  strained. 


AND  MOUNT  VEENON. 


69 


XXII. 

Philadelphia  May  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  Weekly  reports  enclosed  in  your  letter  of  the  6^^  in- 
stant, have  been  duly  received. — 

By  the  first  Vessel  bound  to  Alexandria  from  hence,  I will 
send  Paper  for  the  two  lower  Booms  in  my  house  in  that 
place  ; but  if  it  has  been  newly  plastered,  as  would  appear  to 
be  the  case  (in  part  at  least)  by  Green’s  acc^;  it  ought  not  to 
be  put  on  until  it  is  thoroughly  dry ; or  the  Paper  will  be 
lost.— 

The  Sheriffs  and  Clerks  notes  are  returned,  and  must  be 
paid. — Two  of  them  however  belong  properly  to  Mrs.  F. 
Washington; — and  some  of  the  rest  not  more  to  me  than 
others  ; — but  I find  it  is  a uniform  practice  to  saddle  me  with 
the  whole  expence  of  suits  wherein  I am  only  a part  con- 
cerned as  Trustee,  Attorney,  &c^. — 

It  has  often  been  in  my  mind,  and  I have  as  often  forgot 
it,  when  I was  writing  to  you,  to  request  that  you  would  look 
forward  to,  and  so  arrange  matters  as  not  to  suffer  the  Hay 
and  Grain  Harvests  to  interfere ; or  either  to  suffer  for  want 
of  being  cut  in  time. — For  want  of  a little  foresight  of  this 
kind,  I have,  hitherto,  had  one  or  the  other,  and  oftentimes 
both,  suffer  by  not  being  cut  in  due  season  ; — especially  the 
Hay,  which  has  often  been  spoiled  by  letting  it  stand  until 
the  Grain  Harvest  is  entirely  finished : whereas,  if  the  for- 
ward grass  was  cut  before,  the  latter  grass  might  remain 
without  much,  if  any  injury,  until  the  Grain  was  secured. — I 
am  a great  friend  to  cutting  Grain  soon,  and  I request  it  may 
be  the  practice  this  year. — When  it  is  cut  early,  it  must  not 
be  stacked,  or  even  put  into  large  shocks,  until  the  straw  is 
a little  cured. — But  the  grain  is  better  for  it,  and  loss  by 


70 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


shattering,  or  beating  rains  the  latter  part  of  Harvest,  not 
half  as  great. — 

Be  very  attentive  to  the  drilled  Wheat. — Get  it  out  as  soon 
as  possible  after  harvest ; — and  secure  it  in  the  Seed  loft  at 
Mansion  house;  without  making  any  previous  mention  of  the 
intention : otherwise  there  will  be  pilfering ; and  a disposi- 
tion of  it,  of  which  you  may  have  no  notice. — It  cost  me  10/. 
p’^  Bush^  besides  the  stage  price  of  transportation  from  Fred- 
ericksburgh^  to  Mount  Yernon. — 

I approve  of  your  sowing  the  first  lot  in  the  Mill  Swamp 
(or  more  properly  the  second,  as  there  is  one  between  it  and 
the  Mill)  with  Buck  Wheat  and  Timothy  ; and  should  be  ex- 
tremely glad  if  the  one  above  (now  in  Corn)  could  be  got  in 
order  for  grass  also. — Leave  no  unreclaimed — nor  if  possi- 
ble any  uncultivated  spots  in  these  lots  ; — for  they  are  not 
only  eye  sores  in  Meadows,  but  are  of  real  detriment ; as 
they  are  continually  eating  into,  and  fouling  other  parts  of 
the  ground. — Quite  down  to  the  water’s  edge,  and  quite 
up  to  the  fences  therefore,  ought  always  to  be  perfectly 
cleared. — 

I fear,  from  your  complaint  of  bad  pastures,  that  the  wea- 
ther has  not  been  seasonable  with  you. — This  question  I have 
asked  in  some  of  my  late  letters,  but  no  other  answer  has 
been  given  than  what  appears  by  the  Meteorological  account 
of  it ; and  that  conveys  no  precise  ideas  of  the  state,  or  con- 
dition in  which  the  fields  are,  for  moisture ; — as  good  rains, 
heavy  rains,  slight  rains,  and  rains  of  every  other  sort,  go 
under  this  general  description  in  the  report. — If  the  Pastures 
are  bad,  I wish  1 may  not  hear  also,  that  your  Oats  and 
Buck  Wheat  puts  on  but  an  indifferent  appearance. — 

I hope  you  have  made  all  the  Overseers  produce  the  Wool 
of  the  Sheep  which  have  died  on  the  farms  under  their  re- 

'*  Fredericksburg  (and  its  neighbor,  Falmouth)  being  at  the  head  of  navi- 
gation on  the  Rappahannock,  and  also  near  the  Falls,  had  become  the  most 
important  market  for  wheat  and  flour  in  Virginia. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


71 


spective  managements ; the  from  the  number  of  Sheep 
which  have  been  lost,  ought  to  be  pretty  considerable. — 

I wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend, 

G®  Washington. 

P.  S. 

Does  the  Corn  come  up  well,  and  stand  well  ? and  how 
does  the  Oats  Buck  Wheat  and  Clover  come  on  ? — 

I do  not  recollect  whether  that  part  of  the  ground  in  the 
lower  Meadow  lot,  at  the  Mill,  which  lays  between  the  old 
bed  of  the  run,  and  the  race,  has  ever  been  prepared  for 
Grass. — It  ought  to  have  been,  to  compleat  the  lot. 

XXIII. 

Philadelphia  May  18^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  sorry  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  11^^  Inst^  that  the 
Crops  and  every  thing  else  were  suffering  from  a drought. — 
yet,  by  the  weekly  report  which  accompanied  the  letter,  it 
appears  that  rain  had  fallen  on  the  6*^,  only  five  days  before, 
but  I suppose  this  must  have  been  a slight  one. — 

It  is  not  only  unlucky,  but  unaccountable,  that  the  Oats 
should  not  have  been  r^eived  with  the  other  things. — Mr. 
Dandridge  says  they  were  put  on  board  at  the  same  time,  and 
are  included  in  the  Bill  of  lading  with  the  other  things. — A 
strange  fatality  has  accompanied  them  throughout : — the 
delay  in  getting  them  to  this  City  occasioned  their  missing  a 
passage  in  due  season  ; and  if  you  have  not  recovered  them 
before  this,  it  would  be  throwing  them  away  to  put  them  in 
the  ground  now. — 

I send  you  four  small  papers  of  Seeds  which  have  been 
sent  me  by  a curious  gentlemen  in  Europe. — Whether  they 
are  sound  and  good, — and  are  of  any  real  utility,  I know  not; 
but  let  the  Gardener  pay  particular  attention  to  them  ; — en- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


deavourinor  to  raise  seed  therefrom. — He  should  set  boards  by 

^ •/ 

them,  with  inscriptions  thereon,  similar  to  those  which  are 
written  on  the  papers,  containing  the  respective  seeds. — 
AVhether  von  will  depend  upon  the  tirst,  or  second  Crop  of 
Clover  for  Seed,  will  be  left  to  yourself  ; but  I desire  (if  it  be 
practicable)  that  of  this — of  Buck  "Wheat — Timothy — and  in 
short  of  every  other  Seed  w*^^  you  may  have  occasion  for  next 
year,  may  be  saved  ; as  the  cost  of  these  things  in  the  Markets 
of  this  City  falls  too  heavy  upon  me  besides  being  bad  very 
often. — I also  request  you  will  be  particularly  careful  in  sav- 
ing Seeds  from  the  several  kinds  of  Grass,  which,  from  time 
to  time,  have  been  sown  in  (what  is  called)  the  Vineyard ; 
and  other  places,  for  the  purpose  of  experiments ; or  because 
they  were  given  to  me  as  curiosities,  or  for  the  real  value  of 
them. — And  I hope  you  have  been,  and  will  be  attentive  to 
such  as  I have  sent  you  myself. — Is  that  which  I forwarded 
to  you  sometime  ago  (directing  it  to  be  sown  in  some  part  of 
one  of  the  Meadows)  come  up  well  ? — It  was  given  to  me 
for  a grass  of  more  value  than  Timothy. — If  so,  all  the  seed 
that  can,  ought  to  be  raised  from  it ; — the  same  of  Foin  ; 
which  my  Gardener  neglected  last  year  until  the  seed  was 
almost  lost. — If  Cattle  or  Horses  will  eat  the  fancy  grass 
either  in  its  green  state,  or  made  into  Hay,  it  certainly  must 
be  very  valuable,  as  it  grows  rank,  stands  thick  on  the  ground, 
does  not  requii-e  strong  land,  and  will  remain  forever  on  it. — 
Save  what  seed  you  can  from  this — some  grows  in  the  Vine- 
yard Inclosure,  and  some  I believe  in  the  little  Garden  by  the 
Salt  House. — Several  other  grasses,  of  valuable  sorts,  which 
had  been  given  to  me,  were  sown  in  this  place  and  the  Vine- 
yard ; — but  like  most  other  things  on  my  Estate,  have  been 
lost  for  want  of  attention,  hitherto,  but  I hope  your  care  will 
guard  me  against  such  neglects  in  future. — 

I presume  you  are  well  enough  acquainted  with  Clover  to 
know  How  it  is  to  be  managed  ; both  for  seed  and  Hay. — 
Last  year,  none  of  the  first  (or  very  little)  was  saved ; — and 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


73 


of  the  latter,  tliat  is  Hay,  none  was  made  good,  and  a great 
deal  of  it  was  entii’ely  spoiled. — It  ought  to  be  well  cured 
before  stacking,  but  not  much  stirred ; especially  in  the  Sun  ; 
or  it  will  lose  the  leaf. — Let  there  be  a hollow  in  the  middle 
of  each  stack  (by  way  of  ventulater)  occasioned  by  Drawing 
a basket,  or  stuffed  bag  through  the  middle,  whilst  the  stack 
is  making. — 

As  Crow  has  no  Clover,  with  which  he  can  soil  his 
work  horses  and  Oxen,  he  can  be  supplied  from  Dogue  run 
until  his  own  lots  are  in  a condition  to  furnish  him;  w^^ 
ought  to  be  assisted  as  much  as  possible  to  hurry  them  for- 
ward.— 

If  you  have,  or  can  procure  Turnip  Seed,  it  might  be  well 
to  sow  a good  deal  of  it  at  all  the  Farms ; as  both  Cattle  and 
Sheep  would  derive  benefit  from  them. 

In  what  state  of  forwardness  is  the  drilled  Wheat,  when 
compared  with  the  common  wheat  ? Horn  the  character  and 
description  of  it,  it  ought  to  be  ripe  for  cutting  by  the  8^^  or 
•10^^  of  June. — You  will  have  been  told — or  will  have  dis- 
covered, that  there  are  two  kinds  of  Wheat  in  drills,  at  the 
LYion  farm. — One  is  a double  headed  sort,  whether  of  much 
value,  or  not,  I am  unable  to  say ; nor  do  I know  whether  it 
ripens  sooner  or  later  than  the  common  kind. — Take  care  of 
the  Seeds  of  both,  and  cautiously  guard  against  their  mixing 
in  the  Seed  loft. — As  there  will  not  be  much  of  the  d'^^®  headed 
Wheat,  it  might  be  well  (in  order  to  prevent  this)  to  put  it 
into  tight  casks,  and  head  it  up  securely. — The  early  Wheat 
I set  great  value  on,  as  it  is  an  acquisition,  in  the  farming  line, 
of  great  magnitude  in  many  points  of  view. 

What  have  you  done  with  the  Plaster  of  Paris  I sent  from 
this  City  sometime  ago? — I have  not  seen  (that  I recollect) 
any  account  of  its  being  spread. — The  hides  of  the  dead  cattle 
(though  not  good)  should  be  Tanned  by  the  old  man  Jack, 
who  usually  attends  to  this  business  ; — the  leather  may 
serve  for  inner  Soals  and  repairing  Shoes — and  something 


74 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


ought  also  to  be  done  with  the  skins  of  the  Sheep  have 
died. — 

Mulatto  Will  should  be  kept  close  to  making  Shoes,  that 
1 they  may  be  in  readiness  by  the  time  they  are  wanted. — He 
is  slow,  and  sickness,  or  other  interruption  may  throw  his 
business  behind. — 

I presume  the  lot  in  Alexandria  will  have  been  inclosed  by 
the  Post  and  Kail  fence,  intended  for  it ; — and  the  house,  in- 
side and  out,  painted,  before  the  W’orkmen  were  withdrawn 
from  thence. — It  ought  to  be  left  in  charge  of  some  person 
who  will  attend  to  it,  until  Mrs.  F.  Washington  takes  posses- 
sion thereof. — 

Whether,  if  the  four  missing  HIP®  of  my  Tobacco  are  not 
to  be  found,  the  Inspectors,  after  its  having  lain  over  a year, 
or  sometime  fixed  by  Law,  are  liable  for  it,  or  not,  I am 
unable  to  advise  you,  and  therefore  would  have  you  consult 
those  who  are,  tliat  you  may  pursue  such  measures  as  are 
proper  to  recover  the  value  of  what  is  gone — and  to  secure 
the  remainder. — I have  been  holding  it  up  for  a good  price, 
but  if  whilst  I am  waiting  for  this,  I am  losing  it  by  the 
Hhd%  I shall  have  brought  it  to  a bad  market  indeed. — It 
was  but  a short  time  before  the  death  of  Mr.  Whiting  that 
he  was  directed  to  examine  into  the  condition  of  this  Tob®; 
and  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  he  reported,  that  it  was  not 
only  all  there,  but  that  he  had  stowed  it  securely  all  together 
in  some  part  of  the  Warehouse  where  it  would  not  be  dis- 
turbed in  searching  for  other  Tobacco. — This  information  I 
am  sure  I received  from  him, — or  from  my  Hepliew,  be- 
fore he  was  advised  to  leave  Mount  Yernon  on  acc^  of  his 
health. — I enclose  you  the  Hotes  for  this  Tobacco,  that 
you  may  be  able  to  proceed  with  more  regularity  in  this 
business. — 

It  is  not  a good  Season  for  Surveying,  otherwise  I would 
have  my  four  mile  run  tract  run  round  ; — but  this  shall  be 
done  in  the  Fall  ; or  even  sooner  if  it  is  found  indispensibly 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


75 


necessary  : — in  the  meanwhile,  if  you,  with  the  aid  of  Mr. 
Minor,^  could  prevent  further  depredations  it  w^ould  be 
proper,  and  desirable. — . 

If  Congress  should  rise  in  the  course  of  this  Month,  as  they 
talk  of  doing,  it  is  probable  (though  this  is  more  than  I can 
with  any  certainty  promise)  [I  may]  be  at  Mount  Yernon,  to 
stay  a few  days  only,  by  the  10^^  of  June;  when,  if  you  will 
remind  me  of  it,  I will  give  you  a copy  of  the  courses  of  the 
four  Mile  run  tract,  as  they  cannot  be  got  at  unless  I am  at 
home. — 

If  you  can  sell  the  Black  horse  for  a good  price — I mean 
full  to  his  value — I wish  you  to  do  so. — But  what  that  ought 
to  be,  will  depend  upon  the  condition  he  is  in,  at  the  time  of 
Sale,  and  upon  the  prizes  of  horses  in  the  part  of  the  Coun- 
try where  he  is;  and  of  these  you  are  a better  judge  than  I 
am. — I neither  expect,  nor  desire  more  than  his  value ; and 
as  he  is  not  a necessary  horse,  he  had  better  be  disposed  of. — 

I find  by  the  Beports  that  Sam  is,  in  a manner,  always  re- 
turned sick; — Doll  at  the  Ferry,  and  several  of  the  Spinners 
very  frequently  so,  for  a week  at  a stretch  ; and  Ditcher 
Charles  often  laid  up  with  a lameness. — I never  wish  my  peo- 
ple to  work  when  they  are  really  sick,  or  unfit  for  it  ; on  the 
contrary,  that  all  necessary  care  should  be  taken  of  them 
when  they  are  so  ; — but  if  you  do  not  examine  into  their 
complaints,  they  will  lay  by  when  no  more  ails  them,  than 
ails  those  who  stick  to  their  business,  and  are  not  complain- 
ing, from  the  fatigue  and  drowsiness  which  they  feel  as  the 
effect  of  night  walking,  and  other  practices  which  unfit  them 
for  the  duties  of  the  day. — 

If  the  Beggy  is  not  yet  arrived  it  is  to  be  feared  that  my 

’ George  Minor,  whose  name  frequently  occurs  in  the  Truro  Parish  Vestry- 
book — now  in  possession  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Slaughter,  historiographer  of  the 
Diocese  of  Virginia — as  one  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  on  whom  such 
duties  as  Washington  suggests  devolved  after  the  Revolution.  The  Minors 
are  an  eminent  family:  to  it  belongs  the  Head  of  the  Law  School,  Univer- 
.sity  of  Virginia,  John  B.  Minor.  (Appendix  F.) 


76 


GEOKGE  WASHINGTON 


White  thorn  plants,  and  Mr.  Lear’s  fruit  trees,  must  all  have 
perished.  — Try  them  however,  as  soon  as  they  are  to  be 
had. 

As  Congress  have  determined  that  the  Embargo  shall  not 
be  renewed,  I expect  the  price  of  flour  will  be  at  least  as  high 
as  it  has  been,  in  Alexandria. — In  this  city  it  has  already 
risen  to  50/.  for  Superflne  and  47/6.  for  flne  ; but  as  the  warm 
season  is  coming  on,  if  you  can  obtain  Six  dollars  for  the 
flrst,  and  thirty-four  shillings  for  the  other,  in  good  hands  ; 
payable  in  sixty  days ; I am  more  inclined  to  take  it  than  to 
hazard  the  keeping  it  much  longer  ; but  do  not  make  a con- 
clusive sale  of  it  until  you  shall  hear  from  me  again,  and  this 
you  may  expect  to  do  by  Wednesday’s  Post,  w^"'^  will  arrive  in 
Alexandria  on  friday  evening  next. — 

I am  Your  friend 

Washington. 


XXIY. 

Philadelphia  25^^  May  1794. 

Me.  Peakce, 

I learn  with  concern  from  your  letter  of  the  18^^  instant, 
that  your  crops  were  still  labouring  under  a drought,  and 
most  of  them  very  much  injured. — At  disappointments  and 
losses  which  are  the  effects  of  Providential  acts,  I never  re- 
pine ; because  I am  sure  the  alwise  disposer  of  events  knows 
better  than  we  do,  what  is  best  for  us,  or  what  we  deserve.' — 
Two  or  three  flne  rains  have  fallen  here  in  the  course  of  the 
past  week  ; — some  of  which  I hope  (though  I fear  the 
showers  were  partial)  may  have  extended  to  Mount  Yernon. 

I am  quite  astonished  as  well  as  concerned,  to  hear  so  un- 
favorable an  acc^  of  the  drilled  Wheat. — What  can  be  the 
cause  of  it  ?— Xot  the  working  of  it  I hope?  for  by  that 


- Appendix  G. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


77 


means  it  was,  I expected  to  have  augmented  the  crop  con- 
siderably.— 

The  great  change  for  the  worse  in  my  Sheep,  since  I left 
home  about  five  years  ago  is  as  much  to  be  regretted,  as  the 
constant  decrease  of  their  numbers. — At  that  time  the  fieeces 
through  my  flock,  averaged  upwards  of  five  pounds, — now  I 
perceive  by  the  last  reports  they  are  but  little  over  two 
pounds. 

From  the  letters  I have  received  by  the  Peggy,  she  must 
have  arrived  in  George  Town,  I hope  you  have  got  my  thorn 
pp®,  and  Mr.  Lears  fruit  Trees  to  Mount  Yernon. — Enclosed 
is  a copy  of  the  list  of  the  latter,  which  desire  the  Gardener 
to  be  particularly  attentive  to. — 

It  was  always  intended  that  the  Negro  quarters  at  Union 
farm  should  range  with  the  lane  fence,  or  nearly  so ; — but 
then  the  fence  of  N°  5 and  the  great  Meadow  was  to  have 
been  moved  forward,  with  a view  to  narrow  the  lane,  and  to 
throw  the  Barn  in  the  middle  of  it. — So  wide  a lane  as  the 
present  never  was  intended  to  remain — but  matters  may  rest  as 
they  are  until  I come  home,  or  until  you  shall  hear  from  me 
again. — The  first  will  not  be,  I fear,  so  soon  as  I expected  ; as 
it  is  very  questionable  whether  Congress  will  be  up  next 
week,  and  I may  have  business  afterwards  to  detain  me  here 
a few  days ; which  does  not  occur  to  me  at  this  moment. — 
In  my  next  (this  day  week)  I may  probably  speak  with  more 
certainty  on  this  point. 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend,  &c^ 

G®  Washington. 

P.  S. 

Have  you  heard  of  the  Oats  yet,  which  I sent  from  hence  ? 
A vessel  is  now  up  for  Alexandria,  by  which  I shall  send 
Paper  for  my  House  in  that  place. — 


G.  W. 


7S 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XXV. 

Philadelphia  June  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  glad  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  27^^  ult°  that  you 
had  had  some  good  rains,  previous  to  the  date  of  it. — Those 
rains,  with  such  as  have  followed  since,  may  give  a very  dif- 
ferent appearance  both  to  your  Oats  and  fiax  ; and  may  en- 
liven, and  push  forward  the  Corn  and  B.  Wheat ; — but  I fear 
much  for  any  grass  that  may  have  been  cut,  there  having  been 
no  weather  to  cure  it  (in  this  part  of  the  Country  at  least) 
these  ten  days. — 

I am  sorry  to  perceive,  that  amongst  all  your  other  un- 
favorable prospects,  that  little  is  to  be  expected  from  the 
White  bent  grass — the  seeds  of  which  I sent  you  last 
Spring. — Endeavor,  however,  to  save  all  the  Seed  you  can 
from  it,  in  like  manner  as  you  were  requested  to  do  with  the 
other  experimental  grasses,  in  the  Vineyard,  my  little  gar- 
den, &cb 

If  the  drilled  Wheat  is  not  much  forwarder  than  the  com- 
mon Wheat,  there  must  have  been  an  imposition  in  the  Seed  ; 
for  the  ripening  of  it  three  weeks  before  the  common  sort, 
is  a fact  that  is  well  ascertained. — 

The  deception  with  respect  to  the  Potatoes  (210  instead  of 
418  bush^)  is  of  a piece  with  other  practices*  of  a similar  kind, 
by  which  I have  suffered  hitherto ; — and  may  serve  to  evince 
to  you,  in  strong  colours,  first  how  little  confidence  can  be 
placed  in  any  one  round  you  ; and  secondly  the  necessity  of 
an  accurate  inspection  into  these  things  yourself,— for  to  be 
plain,  Alexandria  is  such  a recepticle  for  every  thing  that  can 
be  filched  from  the  right  owners,  by  either  blacks  or  whites ; 
— and  I have  such  an  opinion  of  my  Xegros  (two  or  three 
only  excepted)  ; and  not  much  better  of  some  of  the  Whites 
— that  I am  perfectly  sure  not  a single  thing  that  can  be  dis- 
posed of  at  any  price^  at  that  place,  that  will  not,  and  is  not. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


79 


stolen,  where  it  is  possible  ; and  carried  thither  to  some  of 
the  underling  shop  keepers,  who  support  themselves  by  this 
kind  of  traffick. — 

I am  really  concerned  that  the  Potatoes  have  fallen  so 
much  short  of  expectation  ; — and  if  I could  have  had  any 
fore  knowledge  of  it,  instead  of  disposing  of  what  there  was, 
in  Corn  gr^^,  I should  have  given  them  to  the  lots  w^^^  were 
intended  for  clover  ; as  I conceive  nothing  is  a better  prepa- 
rative for  this  crop,  than  Potatoes. — As  you  have  them  not — 
and  know  the  object  for  which  these  lots  are  designed — I 
leave  it  to  you  to  manage  them  as  shall  seem  best  in  your 
own  judgment,  to  effect  end  in  view. 

It  is  not  longer  ago  than  last  year  (if  my  memory  has  not 
greatly  failed  me)  that  I paid,  in  this  City,  40  or  50/  for  the 
Turnip  seed  I sent  to  Mount  Yernon,  and  to  have  no  seed 
there  now  is,  to  be  sure,  extraordinary  ; but  as  these  things 
serve  to  shew  you  how  I have  been  imposed  upon,  and  to 
what  expences  I have  been  run  for  want  of  common  care  and 
attention,  so  I persuade  myself,  they  will  induce  your  exer- 
tions to  avoid  the  like  in  future. — 

If  you  can  get  the  price  ment'^  in  your  letter  for  the  mid- 
lings  and  Ship  stuff  take  it. 

I am — friend  Ac* 

^ Washington. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Douglass  is  a person  I am  not  acquainted  with. 
Fie  may  be  as  able  to  fulfil  a contract  as  any  in  Alexandria  for 
ought  I know  to  the  contrary — but  prudent  precaution  to  have 
the  money  secured — and  at  the  time  it  is  engaged  is  not  amiss. — 

When  I wrote  you  last,  I had  expectation  of  being  at 
Mount  Yernon  by  the  10*^  of  this  month  ; but  now  I have 
not,  nor  can  I with  certainty  say  when  it  will  be. — Probably 
— not  before  the  last  of  the  Month. — 

yrs 


G.  W 


80 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XXYI. 

Philadelphia  June  8*^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letters  of  the  4^^  inst^  accompanying  the  reports, 
came  duly  to  hand ; and  by  the  Post  of  to-morrow  I was  in 
hopes  I should  have  been  able  to  inform  you  of  the  day  I 
should  leave  this  for  Mount  Yernon — but  the  case  is  other- 
wise— Congress  are  yet  in  Session,  and  although  they  talk  of 
rising  to-morrow,  this  may  not  be  the  case,  and  if  it  were 
other  business  will  claim  my  attention  for  some  days  after 
the  adjournment. — You  will  continue  therefore  to  write,  and 
send  the  weekly  reports  to  me  as  usual. — 

If  lambs  of  any  kind^  have  been  sold  from  my  flocks  of 
sheep,  it  has  not  only  been  done  without  my  consent,  but 
expressly  contrary  to  my  orders. — And  sure  I am,  the  money 
for  which  they  were  sold  never  found  its  way  into  my 
pockets ; nor  is  there  credit  for  it  in  any  accounts  I have 
seen. — So  far  has  it  been  from  my  practice,  or  policy  to  sell 
off  the  forward  ewe  lambs,  that,  in  order  to  prevent  it,  I 
would  not  suffer  any  lambs  to  be  disposed  of  at  all  unless  it 
was  the  veiy  latter  runts. — My  plan,  while  it  was  in  my 
power  to  attend  to  these  matters  myself,  was,  to  be  sparing 
of  the  lambs  even  for  my  own  table  and  never  to  kill  the 
females  ; to  keep  the  ewe  lambs  (especially  the  latter  ones) 
from  the  Rams  the  flrst  year — to  seperate  the  Rams  from 
the  ewes  at  sh[e]aring  time  (to  be  returned  at  a proper  sea- 
son)— and,  at  sh[e]aring  time  also,  to  cull  over,  and  remove 
to  a pasture  by  themselves,  all  the  sheep  above  a certain  age, 
and  all  such  as  appeared  to  be  upon  the  decline,  that,  after 
receiving  the  summers  run,  and  such  aid  as  could  otherwise 
be  afforded  them,  they  might  be  disposed  of  to  the  Butchers ; 
reserving  enough  for  the  use  of  the  family. — If  lambs  have 
been  disposed  of  contrary  to  this  plan,  it  has  been  done  by 
the  knavery  of  those  who  have  availed  themselves  of  the  op- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


81 


portunitj  my  absence  lias  afforded  them,  to  do  it. — It  might 
be  well  therefore  for  you  to  enquire  by  whom  lambs  have  been 
sold ; — and  as  you  will  see.  by  the  written  agreements  with 
my  Overseers  that  they  are  not  allowed  to  sell  even  a fowl, 
to  charge  them  in  explicit  terms,  not  to  depart  from  it. — The 
granting  them  this  indulgence,  was  for  their  comfort  on  the 
farm ; but  they  have  no  right  to  raise  anything  thereon,  of 
any  sort,  or  kind  whatsoever,  for  sale. — If  therefore,  as  the 
practice  of  this  sort  is  contrary  to  agreement,  they  presume 
to  sell  one  thing  they  may,  and  will  be  suspected  of  selling 
every  thing  they  can  do  with  impunity. — This  reminds  me, 
of  what  has  often  been  in  my  intention  to  write  about,  and 
that  is  Mr.  Stuarts  selling  Butter. — He  is,  I well  remem- 
ber, allowed  a certain  part  of  the  butter  that  is  made  on  the 
farm,  of  course  is  entitled  to  the  butter  or  the  value  of  it ; 
but  to  avoid  suspicion,  he  had  better,  both  on  his  own  account 
and  mine,  after  taking  out  what  he  uses  in  his  owm  family  (and 
which  he  ought  to  account  for)  send  all  that  is  made,  besides, 
to  the  Mansion  house ; and,  as  it  will  go  from  thence  to 
Market,  let  him  be  allowed  for  his  proportion  the  price  it 
sells  at. — Besides  avoiding  suspicion  and  evil  reports,  an- 
other good  will  be  derived  from  this  practice,  and  that  is, 
that  it  will  supercede  the  necessity  of  his  wife’s — or  any 
other  person’s  running  toTAlexandria  to  dispose  of  this  arti- 
cle, or  to  enquire  into  the  price  of  it. — That  Mr.  Stuarts  con- 
duct in  this  business  has  not  escaped  censure  you  will  see  b}' 
the  enclosed ; but  as  I never  entertained  an  unfavorable 
opinion  of  him,  and  always  a very  bad  one  of  Green,  I never 
mentioned  the  report  to  the  former  although,  when  the  latter 
orave  the  information,  I told  him  to  commit  what  he  had  to 
say  to  writing, — charging  him  at  the  same  time  to  say  noth- 
ing that  lie  could  not  prove,  as  he  might  bring  himself  into 
a scrape  if  be  did. — I have  no  doubt  of  Mrs.  Stuarts  having 
furnished  Butter  for  M^Ivnight’s  Tavern,  and  if  the  quantity 
bears  any  proportion  to  what  is  asserted  in  the  paper,  that  it 


82 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


has  been  fraudulently  done. — The  account,  I presume,  is  ex- 
agerated, otherwise  instead  of  being  content  with  one  fourth 
(which  if  my  memory  serves  me,  is  the  part  allowed  him)  he 
must  have  taken  three  fourths  of  it,  at  least. — But  be  the 
report  true  or  false,  it  still  shews  the  necessity  of  the 
measure  I have  advised, — In  the  first  case,  to  guard  me 
against  such  impositions ; — and  in  the  second,  to  secure  his 
own  character  against  suspicion  and  calumny. 

Mrs.  Fanny  Washington  writes  that  the  Cellar  of  my  House 
in  Alexandria  wants  paving,  and  to  be  drained,  as  it  is  very 
damp. — Let  the  first  be  done  at  any  rate,  and  the  latter  if  it 
shall  appear  necessary,  as  I presume  it  is. — You  had  better 
buy  smooth,  and  well  burnt  bricks  in  Town  than  to  carry 
them  up. — This  job  will  afford  another  week  for  Davis  and 
his  attendants ; when  one  man,  in  this  City,  would  begin  and 
finish  it  (the  materials  being  on  the  spot)  in  half  a day. — 

A Mr.  Oneil  from  Chester  County  in  this  state,  will  be  at 
Mount  Yernon  by  the  time,  or  soon  after  this  letter  will  have 
reached  you. — He  has  a great  opinion  of  a freestone  quarry 
near  my  lime  kiln,  but  a little  up  the  Branch  called  Hell 
hole  ; and  I have  authorised  him  to  open  it  at  his  own  ex- 
pence ; but  have  told  him  that  if  you  have  a hand  or  two 
that  could  be  spared,  and  he  would  allow  the  same  for  them 
by  the  day,  or  month,  that  he  gives  to  others,  I had  no 
objection  to  your  doing  it. — I am  to  be  at  no  expence  or 
trouble  with  him,  and  he  has  assured  me,  that  the  hands  he 
takes  from  hence  with  him,  shall  be  sober,  honest,  and  well 
behaved. — If  Tom  Davis  and  Muclus  could  be  spared  from 
necessary  work,  they  had  best  go ; for  numbers  will  add 
nothing  to  the  dispatch  of  my  work,  whilst  it  is  under  the 
immediate  inspection  and  direction  of  Tho®  Green ; who,  it 
appears  indispensably  necessary  to  me,  should  be  superceded 
the  moment  you  can  get  a good  workman  in  whom  con- 
fidence can  be  placed,  to  overlook  them ; for  the  manner  in 
which  my  Carpenters  idle  away  their  time,  is  beyond  all 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


83 


forbearance. — Twelve  Carpenters  in  this  City,  would  have 
built  every  house  which  is  on  my  lot  in  Alexandria  (from  the 
foundation)  in  less  time  than  mine  were  employed  in  the  few 
repairs  they  received  ; but  from  the  habits  of  idleness  which 
they  have  contracted,  and  the  bad  examples  of  Green,  noth- 
ing better  I am  sure  is  to  be  expected  from  them  while  they 
are  under  his  management. 

I am  Your  friend  Ac’^ 

Washington. 


XXYII. 

Philadelphia  June  15^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  8*^  with  its  enclosures  I received  yester- 
day.— If  nothing,  unforeseen  by  me  at  present,  intervenes  to 
prevent  it,  I shall  leave  this  City  for  Mount  Yernon  the  day 
after  tomorow ; (tuesday)  but  as  the  weather  is  warm,  my 
liorses  fat  and  out  of  exercise,  and  I may  have  occasion  to 
stop  a day  on  the  road,  it  is  not  probable  I shall  reach  home 
before  Sunday  or  Monday  next. — I shall  have  two  white 
waiters  with  me — one  a hostler,  who  may  sleep  over  the  Store, 
in  the  room  usually  occupied  by  Mr.  Whiting. — the  other  at- 
tends particularly  on  me,  and  may  have  a bed  made  for  him 
in  the  Garrot  (South  end)  in  the  room  without  a fire  place. — 
Try  the  Turnip  seed,  in  order  to  prove  its  goodness ; — for 
it  is  provoking  to  be  at  the  trouble  and  expence  of  preparing 
ground  for  seed  that  never  vegitates. — 

As  I expect  to  see  you  so  soon,  I shall  add  nothing  more  at 
this  time  than  that  I am 

Your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G"  AVasiiington. 


84 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XXYIII. 

Philadelphia  July  13^^  1794. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  9*^^,  with  the  Reports  of  the  preceeding 
week  came  to  my  hands  yesterday. — I arrived  in  this  Cit}' 
myself  on  Monday  ; made  rather  worse  by  my  journey,  and 
a wetting  I got  on  the  Road  on  Saturday  ; having  travelled 
all  day  through  a constant  Rain. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  wet  weather  continues  to  throw 
your  work  backward — especially  plowing — as  I am  sensible 
you  have  much  of  it  to  do,  and  all  of  it  pressing  to  be  done  ; — 
for  if  the  Buck  Wheat  is  not  plowed  in  while  it  is  in  a green 
and  succulent  state,  to  have  had  it  on  the  ground  will  prove 
an  injury,  instead  of  a benefit  ; because  it  is  from  the  juices 
of  this  plant  that  the  putrefaction  and  fermentation  proceeds, 
and  causes  it  to  become  a manure. — If  the  plant  therefore  is 
suffered  to  stand  until  the  straw  gets  dry  and  hard,  it  returns 
nothing  to  the  earth,  but  on  the  contrary  draws  much  from 
it. — It  is  high  time  also  that  the  Buck  Wheat  intended  for 
Seed,  was  in  the  ground ; as  the  usual  time  of  sowing  it,  in 
these  parts  for  a crop,  is  from  the  first  to  the  lo*'^  of  this 
month. — These  two  things  in  addition  to  the  necessary  work- 
ing of  the  Corn  for  the  double  purpose  of  keeping  it  clean, 
and  preparing  the  ground  for  the  Wheat,  will  require  all  your 
skill  and  exertion : — and  I am  well  persuaded  you  will  use 
both  to  the  best  advantage  for  my  interest  if  all  cannot,  from 
wet  weather,  or  other  causes  be  accomplished  in  due  season. — 
It  would  be  matter  of  regret  if  the  Oats  should  have  sus- 
tain’d injury  from  the  weather  we  have  had,  or  may  have; 
as  the  Crop  looked  very  promising  when  I left  home. — Begin 
to  cut  them  early,  standing  in  a few  bundles,  or  sheafs  to- 
gether, will  ripen  them  without  injury  if  they  are  not  suffi- 
ciently so  when  cut. — 

The  Grass  too,  will,  by  this  time,  stand  in  need  of  the 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


85 


Scythes ; and  I hope  all  the  Hay  that  can,  will  be  made,  and 
all  spots  (in  the  new  meadows)  not  sufficiently  covered — will 
be  replenished  abundantly  with  good  seed,  and  scratched  in 
with  Harrows,  or  rakes  with  Iron  teeth. — It  is  much  my  wish 
to  have  the  meadows  well  set  with  grass ; and  the  sprouts 
from  stumps,  weeds  and  all  other  trash  exterminated. — These 
things  cannot,  I am  sensible,  be  done  in  a moment,  nor  per- 
haps as  soon  as  I wish,  or  expect  them ; — but  to  set  about 
them  vigorously,  is  the  only  sure  means  of  accomplishing 
them. — So  much  meadow  ground  as  I have,  and  can  make, 
may,  I am  certain  be  turned  to  considerable  profit. — Capt*^ 
Conway  of  Alexand%'  from  a small  spot  of  ground  near  the 
Town,  sells  I am  told  four  hundred  pounds  worth  of  Hay 
annually. — 

I wish  you  not  to  mistake  my  meaning  about  the  Lots  in 
the  Mill  swamp. — Putting  them  in  Corn,  was  not  for  the  sake 
of  the  Crop  of  this  article  they  would  bring  ; but  for  the  pur- 
pose of  cleansing  and  preparing  them  for  grass  ; if  therefore 
you  repeat  them  in  the  parts  that  do  not  stand  in  need  of  such 
cleansing,  you  will  exhaust  the  soil  and  render  it  unfit  for  the 
primary  object  I have  in  view  for  them — viz — Meadow,  which 
I repeat,  and  am  particular  in  doing  so,  that  you  may  have  a 
full  and  comprehensive  understanding  of  my  plan. — The  low, 
and  wet  part  of  these  lots  iCis,  that  have  not,  and  I am  per- 
suaded could  not,  last  spring,  be  prepared  for  Corn,  that  I 
wQuld  have  put  into ; and  continued  in  this  Crop  until  it  is 
sufficiently  reclaimed,  and  rendered  fit  for  grass  ; — whilst  the 
older  parts  of  them  which  do  not  stand  in  need  of  this  clean- 
sing may  be  sowed  with  grass-seeds  as  soon  as  you  have  it 

’ Either  Richard  (Mayor  of  Alexandria  in  1800)  or  Joseph  Conway,  Lieut, 
under  Washington  in  the  Revolution.  They  were  relatives  of  President 
Madison’s  mother,  Nelly  Conway,  whose  paternal  home  was  at  Port  Conway 
on  the  Rappahannock.  They  were  descended  from  Col.  Edwin  Conway, 
of  Lancaster,  Va.  (1683-1764),  of  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses.  Col. 
Edwin  m.  Anne,  half-sister  of  Mary  Washington,  and  his  daughter  Mary 
married  James  Ball,  of  the  same  family. 


86 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


in  your  power  to  do  it  without  exhausting  it  more  by  tillage. 
— Some  part  of  the  present  mowing  ground,  particularly  from 
the  bridge  leading  to  M'^Koys  house,  up  to  the  Wheat  en- 
closure, ought,  when  the  Meadows  below,  and  at  Union  Farm 
are  in  good  mowing  order,  and  well  set  with  grass,  to  be  broke 
up  and  put  in  something  that  will  destroy  the  coarse  and  sour 
grass  which  grows  thereon — being  first  sufficiently  drained — 
and  all  the  low  part  of  the  field  above  it,  which  was  in  Wheat, 
produced  exceeding  fine  Timothy  before  it  got  foul,  which 
was  the  cause  of  my  putting  it  in  Corn  and  then  laying  it,  or 
intending  to  lay  it  to  grass  again ; which,  if  not  taken,  as  1 
understood  to  be  the  case,  I would  have  well  set  with  it,  as 
soon  as  you  can. — In  a word,  and  to  be  short  on  the  article 
of  grass-grounds,  my  wish  is,  to  lay  all  down  to  it,  for  com- 
mon meadow,  that  will  produce  Hay  to  any  advantage  (as 
Hay  either  for  feeding  or  selling  is  profitable)  but  then,  my 
wish  also  is,  to  compleat  as  I go ; — by  this  I mean,  that  I had 
rather  have  one  lot  or  acre  laid  to  grass  in  perfect  order 
(smooth  for  the  scythe  and  free  from  trash  of  every  kind) 
than  two  lots  or  acres  incommoded  by  stumps,  sprouts  from 
stumps,  Briers,  or  other  things  w^^  serve  to  spoil  the  cutting, 
and  to  injure  the  Hay  when  made  ; — and  of  course  the  sale. — 
Those  parts  of  the  large  meadow  inclosure  at  Union  farm 
which  were  in  the  drilled  Wheat,  have  laid  to  grass  as  soon 
as  you  are  able,  that  there  may  be  no  bald,  or  naked  places 
within  it. — 

I am  sensible  that  I express  my  wishes  faster  than  they  can 
be  accomplished — but  by  keeping  them,  steadily  in  view  you 
will  fulfill  them  as  fast  as  time  and  seasons  will  permit ; and 
this  is  all  I can  expect  or  do  desire. — But  in  order  that  my 
directions,  when  given,  may  not  escape  you,  read  my  letters 
over  frequently  ; or  take  from  them  at  the  time  they  are  re- 
ceived such  parts  by  way  of  Memorandums  to  refresh  your 
memory  occasionally,  as  are  necessary. — 

It  is  my  wish  and  desire  that  everything  requisite  for  my 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


87 


house  in  Alexandria,  may  be  done  without  delay ; that  Mrs. 
Fanny  Washington  may  remove  to  it  as  soon  as  she  pleases. — 
Besides  paving  the  Cellars,  and  .laying  a floor  in  one  end  of 
the  Stable  she  proposed  to  have  some  place  railed  up,  or  done 
up,  in  some  other  manner,  higher  than  usual,  to  secure  her 
Wood  from  being  pilfered  ; this  you  may  cause  to  be  done. — 
The  floors  want  to  be  smoothed  over  with  a plane  and  the 
painting  made  good,  after  which  I know  of  nothing  to  hinder 
her  going  into  it  for  it  can  he  papered  as  well  after,  as  before 
she  goes  into  it. — 

I observed  the  Hearth  below  in  that  blouse  and  it  might 
be  the  same  above,  was  of  brick  and  badly  laid. — Get  Mr. 
Oneill  to  prepare  slabs  in  one  or  two  pieces,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  stone,  from  the  quarry  he  is  working  at  Mount 
Yernon,  to  replace  the  brick  and  let  them  be  bordered  as 
usual  by  mitreed  pieces  of  Wood  for  the  flooring  Plank  to 
butt  against  instead  of  running  the  ends  of  the  plank  up  to 
the  Brick  or  Stone  as  is  the  case  there  I perceive. — 

If  any  Butter  has  been  made  in  the  Neck  (that  is  at  Biver 
farm)  or  else  where  to  spare,  let  her  have  it,  or  part  of  it 
when  she  removes;  and  send  her  up  a boat  load  of  Wood  also 
to  begin  with, — but  this  is  not  to  be  continued — or  to  be 
looked  for  as  a matter  of  course. — 

I mentioned  to  Mr.  Oneill  and  I believe  before  you — that 
an  account  of  all  the  Stone  that  went  from  my  Quarry  was 
to  be  regularly  kept,  that  I might  know  how  to  settle  for  it 
hereafter  ; — and  although  I have  no  reason  to  suspect  that  he 
would  render  an  unfair,  or  short  account  of  it,  common  pru- 
dence requires  that  you  should  see  it  measured  before  it  goes 
from  the  Quarry  ; and  this  is  easily  done  as  it  is  always 
perched  for  this  purpose  ; desire  him  therefore,  whenever  he 
is  about  to  send  any  away  to  give  you  notice  thereof  that  you 
may  step  down,  measure,  and  charge  it  to  liim,  or  the  person 
for  whose  use  it  is  quarried. — 

I either  misunderstood  Peter,  or  he  told  me  that  several  of 


88 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


the  Mules  are  returned  in  the  Mansion  house  Eeport, 
and  which  I did  not  intend  should  be  used  without  pre- 
viously communicating  the  matter  to  me,  has  actually  been 
put  to  the  Plough  ; although  no  longer  ago  than  last  October 
I supplied  every  F arm  with  a compleat  set  of  Plow  beasts 
(Horses  or  Mules). — If  the  Mules  are  to  be  taken  in  this  man- 
ner, I shall  never  raise  them  to  be  of  any  value. — for  to  take 
them  at  two  or  three  years  old  and  work  them  until  they  can 
hardly  walk  alone,  is  ruining  of  them  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, and  I desire  a stop  may  he  put  to  the  practice. — Es- 
pecially as  I see  no  prospect  of  keeping  up  my  Stock  of  them, 
notwithstanding  the  immense  expence  I have  run  myself  to 
in  providing  Mares  for  the  purpose  of  breeding  them. — From 
Peter  also  I was  told  (but  this  might  be  by  way  of  excuse 
for  his  own  neglect  in  not  attending  properly  to  them  in  the 
covering  season)  that  almost  all  the  Mares  had  slunk  their 
foals  ; — and  he  mentioned  an  instance  of  this  happening  to  a 
valuable  Mare  sent  from  the  Mansion  house  to  Dogue  run, 
and  rid  by  M'^Koy  into  the  Forest,  doing  it  the  night  he 
quitted  her  back. — My  hurry  the  morning  I left  home  (for  it 
was  just  before  that  I received  this  information  upon  enquir- 
ing what  prospect  I had  for  Colts  this  year)  prevented  my 
mentioning  the  matter  to  you.— Xight  rides,  and  treading 
Wheat  will  forever  deprive  me  of  Foals. — But  a few  years 
ago  I bought,  and  sent  from  Lancaster  and  other  places  in 
this  State  &c*^,  27  large  Mares  for  the  sole  purpose  of  breed- 
ing mules — never  intending  that  one  of  them  should  be  put 
to  work — having  in  the  year  1789  before  I left  home  for 
Hew  York,  compleatly  stocked  all  my  farms  [with]  work 
horses,  and  left  many  Mares  besides  for  breeding. — Since 
that  period  (not  more  than  five  years)  it  has  taken  all  the  sur- 
plus of  the  old  stock,  just  mentioned — the  27  Mares  bought 
for  breeding,  and  for  no  other  purpose,  and  all  the  Mules 
(for  at  that  time  there  was  not  one  in  use)  to  supply  the  di- 
ficiencies  which  have  been  occasioned  by  the  rascally  treat- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


89 


merit  I have  experienced  from  my  Overseers ; and  the  want 
of  attention  in  my  Managers,  during  my  absence  from  home 
since  the  period  of  1789  above  mentioned. — This  I know 
does  not  apply  to  you,  and  it  is  only  mentioned  to  shew  in 
what  manner  I have  been  abused,  and  how  necessary  it  is 
that  you  should  guard  me  against  the  like  in  future. — 

Unless  you  are  able  to  accomplish  the  business  without, 
Sarah  had  better  I conceive  (after  your  grain  and  Hay  har- 
vests are  over)  be  brought  to  the  House  again,  until  you  see 
your  way  perfectly  clear  to  get  all  the  articles  of  clothing  for 
the  Negroes,  ready  in  due  season. — 

Mr.  Lund  Washington’s  receipt  for  the  five  hundred  pounds 
came  safe  to  my  hands.* * 

I hear  with  concern,  but  not  unexpectedly,  of  the  illness  of 
your  eldest  daughter. — That  she  could  not  without  a change 
for  the  better  survive  the  indisposition  with  which  she  has 
been  afflicted,  long,  was  the  opinion  of  all  who  saw  her ; and, 
in  a degree,  I presume  must  have  been  your  own. — So  far 
then  you  must  be  prepared  for  the  unfortunate  event ; and 
’tho  nature,  at  so  awful  a trial,  must  shrink  for  a time,  reason 
and  reflection  will  produce  resignation  to  a decree,  against 
which  there  is  no  controal. 

It  is  but  justice  to  acknowledge  to  you,  that  so  far  as  I was 
able,  from  the  hurt  whicli^ confined  me  whilst  I was  at  Mount 
Yernon,^  to  look  into  my  business,  I was  well  satisfied  with 
your  conduct,  and  I am  persuaded  I shall  have  no  cause  to 
complain  of  it  in  future. — Good  judgment  and  experimental 
knowledge  properly  exerted,  never  can  when  accompanied 
with  integrity  and  zeal,  go  wrong. — These  qualifications  you 
have  the  character  of  possessing,  and  I place  confidence 


’ Appendix  H. 

* “ An  exertion  to  save  myself  and  horse  from  falling  among  the  rocks  at 
the  Lower  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  whither  I went  on  Sunday  morning  to  see 
the  Canal  and  locks,  has  wrenched  my  back  in  such  a manner  as  to  prevent 
my  riding.” — Letter  to  Edmund  Randolph,  25  June  1794. 


90 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


therein. — My  favorite  objects,  as  I have  often  repeated  to 
you,  are  to  recover  my  land  from  the  gullied  and  exhausted 
state  into  which  it  has  been  unfortunately  thrown  for  some 
years  back. — To  lay  down  all  the  low  and  swampy  lands  to 
grass,  and  be  it  little  or  much,  to  do  it  well. — To  have  Clover 
lots  sufficient  for  Soiling  W ork  horses  and  Cattle,  and  for 
other  purposes. — To  substitute  as  fast  as  possible  hedges  and 
live  fences  in  place  of  dead  ones,  and  of  any  thing  that 
will  make  them. — To  be  attentive  to  my  stock  of  all  spe- 
cies and  descriptions,  taking  care  to  improve  and  increase 
them  to  the  full  extent  of  your  pasturage,  beyond  which 
although  you  might  raise  food  for  their  winter  support,  it 
would  be  folly  to  go. — And  lastly,  to  look  as  much  as  possi- 
ble into  the  little,  as  well  as  the  greater  concerns  of  y®  farms; 
for  more  is  wasted  and  lost  from  an  omission  in  not  doing  the 
first  than  any  one  is  aware  of,  when  they  examine  the  aggre- 
gate amount  of  Trifles. — To  improve  also  every  thing  into 
manure  that  will  make  it — is  among  the  considerations  to  be 
attended  to. 

I remain  Your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


P.  S. 

Mrs.  Washington  desires  you  will  send  her  by  the  first 
Vessel  to  this  place  one  doz“  of  the  best  Hams,  and  half  a 
doz°  Midlings  of  Bacon. — Weigh  the  whole  and  send  me  the 
Account  of  it. — 

G.  W. 


XXIX. 

Philadelphia  July  20^^^  1Y94. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Yesterday  brought  me  your  letter,  and  the  Reports  of  the 
preceeding  week  the  first  dated  the  16^^  insfi  and  the  other 
the  12^^. — 

Frequent  Rains  at  this  season,  if  they  do  not  fall  too 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


91 


heavily,  nor  are  of  too  long  a continuance,  wiJl  be  the 
making  of  the  Corn  and  Buckwheat ; but  if  they  are  of  such 
a nature  as  to  prevent  plowing  it  will  be  bad ; however,  it 
may  so  happen,  that  if  you  cannot  plow  in  one  place,  you 
may,  nevertheless,  do  it  in  another,  and  so  pressing  as  this 
work  is,  it  would  be  better  to  shift  from  one  field,  or  part  of 
a field  to  another,  than  to  let  it  be  at  a stand. 

As  I do  not  perceive  by  the  Reports  that  any  part  of  the 
Wheat  is  drawn  in,  or  stacked,  let  the  shocks  be  frequently 
examined  to  see  that  no  injury  is  sustained  by  the  sprouting 
of  the  grain  which  (however  well  shocked)  it  is  apt  to  do, 
when  rains  are  more  frequent  than  Sunshine. — 

How  does  the  quantity,  and  quality  of  the  Oats  appear  to 
turn  out,  since  harvesting  of  them? — And  how  does  the  Xew 
Meadows  look,  and  appear  to  have  been  taken  with  grass, 
since  they  have  been  cut. — I wish  much  to  have  them  well 
covered  with  Timothy,  or  Timothy  and  clover  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  ground. — 

Remember  to  give  John  the  Gardener  a dollar,  the  last  day 
of  every  Month,  provided  he  behaves  well — letting  him  know 
that  it  is  on  that  express  condition  he  is  to  receive  it. — And 
if  a suit  of  Cloaths  of  tolerable  good  cloth,  made  to  his  own 
taste,  will  keep  him  in  good  humour,  let  him  be  endulged 
with  them. — If  by  his  conduct  he  merits  these  things,  I shall 
not  begrudge  them  to  him. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  your  daughter  is  better — ’Tis  possible 
her  disorder  may  have  come  to  a crisis,  and  taken  a favorable 
turn  ; — but  it  will  be  best,  notwithstanding,  to  make  up  your 
mind  for  the  worst,  unless  the  appearances  are  unequivocal, 
lest  they  should  prove  delusive,  which  is  not  uncommon  in  a 
case  like  hers. — 

What  is  the  matter  with  Betty  Davis,  and  Doll  at  Union 
Farm,  that  they  are — more  than  half  their  time — placed  on 
the  sick  list  ? — 

I hope  particular  care  has  been  taken  of  the  Grass  Seeds  in 


9'2 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


the  little  garden  by  the  Salt  house — and  of  those  also  in  the 
Vineyard — that  a fair  experiment  may  be  made  of  the  value 
of  them. — I am  of  opinion  that  the  everlast-  Pea  make  a 
good  Hay  also. — I remain 

Your  friend 

G°  Washington. 

P.  S. — July  21^. 

The  writer  of  the  enclosed  note  has  just  been  with  me,  and 
is  to  call  this  Afternoon  with  his  Vouchers,  when  I shall 
liave  further  conversation  with  him. — He  is  a tolerably  good 
looking  man  and  has  the  appearance  of  an  active  one — but 
how  far  any  man,  unacquainted  with  Vegros,  is  ^pable  of 
managing  of  them,  is  questionable.— But  let  me  know 
whether  you  have  made  any  agreement  yet  with  Crow. 
H'^Koy,  or  Butler  or  any  others,  as  Overseers — and  if  not 
suspend  doing  it  till  you  hear  further  from  me,  which  prob- 
ably may  be  by  next  Wednesday's  Post. 

XXX. 

Philadelphia  July  27^  1794. 

Mu.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  23^  and  the  reports,  have  been  duly  re- 
ceived.— 

The  ideas  which  I expressed  in  one  of  my  late  letters, 
respecting  the  cultivation  (in  Com)  of  the  lots  in  the  Mill 
swamp,  were  not  intended  to  forbid  the  practice  in  all  parts 
where  it  was  necessary,  to  cleanse  and  prepare  them  for 
grass; — but  to  let  you  see  that  Com  was  not  so  much  an 
object  with  me,  as  Meadow ; — and  that  I did  not  want  the 
old  parts  of  those  lots  so  much  exhausted  by  cultivation,  in 
Com,  as  to  be  made  unfit  for  the  produce  of  grass — or  at  least 
of  becoming  good  pasture. — Knowing  this  to  be  my  plan,  and 
my  desire,  I have  no  objection  to  your  cultivating  any  part, 
and  every  part  of  the  lot  which  is  in  Com  this  year,  again 


AXD  MOUNT  VERXOX. 


93 


in  tliat  article,  that  mav  require  it,  and  fit  it  better  for  the 
purpose  it  is  ultimately  intended. — But  I must  again  express 
my  desue  that  the  work  be  compleated  as  you  go:  if  the 
seasons  (which  I know  are  all  in  all  in  this  business)  will 
permit  it ; — for  to  have  part  of  the  inclosnre  in  grass  and 
part  in  rushes,  alders  and  other  Shrubs,  is  not  only  an  eye 
sore,  but  is  a real  disadvantage ; as  they  are  continually  en- 
croaching on  the  mowing  gi’ound- — This  is  the  case  in  the  lot 
nearest  the  Mill  Boad — and  in  the  one  next  above,  which 
you  talk  of  laying  to  grass  this  fall — These  plac-es  (adjoining 
the  Mill  race)  more  especially,  it  is,  I want  to  have  tended  in 
Com,  until  they  are  perfectly  reclaimed : that  the  whole  of 
the  lots  may  be  in  good  grass,  and  have  a uniform  appear- 
ance ; even  the  very  bed  of  the  run  I could  wish  to  have 
cleared  up,  so  as  to  leave  no  growth  there,  to  extend  its  in- 
fiiience. — After  giving  you  this  explanation  of  my  wishes,  I 
leave  it  altogether  to  your  own  judgment  what  parts  to  tend 
next  year,  and  what  not,  in  Com. — 

Does  your  Corn  continue  to  grow,  shoot  well,  and  look 
promising  ? — The  seasc*n  is  now  come  when  rain,  or  drought, 
is  to  make  or  mar  the  Crop ; — a drought  even  now,  when 
the  Com  is  beginning  to  fill,  will  produce  a very  scanty 
crop. — 

Let  particular  care  be  taken  of  the  seed  of  the  rare  ripe 
corn  I sent  home  : it  will  be  fine  for  the  wet  grounds  which 
cannot  be  planted  early,  next  Spring. — 

I would  not  have  you  forego  engaging  any  Overseer  you 
may  stand  in  need  of.  on  acc®  of  the  farmer  I mentioned  to 
you  in  my  last. — I should  be  affraid  to  commit  one  of  the 
farms  to  his  management  without  some  previous  trial ; — and 
as  tliere  will  be  no  opening  for  him  before  Christmas,  it 
could  not  suit  him  to  wait : — and  besides,  up>on  the  enquiry 
I have  made  into  his  late  pursuits.  I find  he  has  been  a good 
deal  of  a Hover. — 'Was  Butler  away,  he  might  suit  the  home 
house  very  well,  as  he  appears  to  be  (though  middle  aged)  an 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


active  man ; and  says,  if  lie  was  put  on  a place  lie  would  not 
stir  from  it  from  years  end  to  years  end. — He  appears,  from 
bis  vouchers,  to  have  been  a sort  of  household  Steward,  as 
well  as  farmer,  and  might  therefore  be  useful  at  the  mantion 
house  if  Butler  was  not  engaged  at  that  place. — 

Was  grass  seed  sown  with  the  Flax  at  Union  farm? — or  do 
you  propose  to  sow  the  whole  of  that  inclosure  at  one  and 
the  same  time  ? — 

How  does  Mr.  McXeil  (Oneil  I believe  I should  have  said) 
like  the  appearance  of  the  Quarry  at  Mount  Yernon  as  he 
uncovers  it  ? — and  has  he  begun  yet  to  raise  stone  ? — 

If  you  will  pay  particular  attention  to  the  conduct  of  the 
Overseers,  or  plowmen,  with  respect  to  the  treatment  of  the 
young  Mules,  I have  no  objection,  when  there  is  a real  ne- 
cessity for  it,  to  their  being  used,  gently^  at  three  years  old, 
because  they  ought  to  be  handled  at  that  time,  to  prevent 
their  becoming  obstinate,  and  restive ; — but  to  use  them  as 
mine  hitherto  have  been,  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes  their 
inevitable  destruction. — A Mule  does  not  come  to  his  strength 
until  he  is  eight  or  nine  years  old,  nor  said  to  be  in  his 
prime  until  he  is  12  or  15 ; — to  put  them  in  the  plough 
therefore  when  they  are  rising  three,  and  work  them  as  my 
Overseers  have  done  mine,  as  they  would  have  done  a dray 
horse  in  his  prime — is,  in  one  word,  an  infallible  mean  to 
prevent  me  from  raising  any  to  be  valuable  ; — whereas  with 
proper  usage,  and  due  care,  they  would  serve  well  for  thirty 
odd  years. — 

Is  there  anything  particular  in  the  cases  of  Ruth,  Hannah, 
and  Pegg,  that  they  have  been  returned  sick  for  several 
weeks  together  ? — Ruth  I know  is  extremely  deceitful ; — she 
has  been  aiming  for  some  time  past  to  get  into  the  house, 
exempt  from  work;  but  if  they  are  not  made  to  do  what 
their  age  and  strength  will  enable  them,  it  will  be  a very  bad 
example  to  others — none  of  whom  would  work  if  by  pretexts 
they  can  avoid  it. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


95 


Having  said  nothing  of  jonr  daughters  health,  in  jonr  last 
letter,  I hope  she  is  better. — I wish  you  both  well,  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 


XXXI. 

German  Town  Aug*  3^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I removed  to  this  place  on  Wednesday  last,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  heat  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. — It  is  probable  I 
shall  remain  here  until  about  the  middle  of  September — but 
letters  will  come  to  me  as  regularly  as  if  I had  remained  in 
the  City. — 

Your  letter  of  the  27*^  ulP,  and  the  reports,  I received  yes- 
terday as  usual ; and  wish  the  rains  we  have  been  complain- 
ing of,  may  not  be  much  wanted  before  the  end  of  this 
month  ; as  the  weather  since  that  fall,  has  put  on  the  appear- 
ance of  drought — which,  if  it  happens,  will  he  almost  as  in- 
jurious to  the  Crop  of  Corn  as  if  those  rains  had  not  fallen. — 

If  your  Corn  ground  has  got  foul  by  the  rains  which  have 
fallen,  or  even  if  they  are  not  perfectly  clean,  I had  rather, 
although  it  will  inevitably  delay  your  seeding,  put  off  sowing 
Wheat — or  any  thing  else  indeed — until  it  is  clean,  light  and 
in  good  order  for  the  reception  of  them  : — for  I have  never 
found  anything  but  disappointed  hopes  from  a contrary  prac- 
tice ; — which  has  long  decided  me  in  an  opinion  that  to  aim 
at  the  cultivation  of  more  ground  than  one  can,  under  almost 
any  circumstances,  master  completely,  is  not  the  certain  way 
to  make  sure,  or  even  large  Crops ; but  an  infallible  one  to 
destroy  the  land. — I have  long  been  convinced  moreover, 
that  if  the  same  labour,  and  expence  of  manure,  &c*  (which 
in  the  common  mode  of  management  in  Virginia)  was  be- 
stowed on  50  acres  of  land,  that  is  now  scattered  over  an  100, 
that  the  former  would  be  more  profitable  and  productive  to 


96 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


the  owner. — THiat  I would  be  understood  to  mean  by  this,  is, 
that  afield  not  more  than  half  prepared  for  a crop — the  Crop 
not  more  than  half  tilled — and  the  ground  but  indifferently 
manured,  wdll  not  produce  as  much  as  the  half  of  it  would, 
if  these  were  bestowed  in  full  proportion  to  the  requirements 
of  the  land. — If  ones  means  is  equal  to  the  accomplishment 
of  the  whole  there  can  be  no  doubt — in  that  case— but  that 
the  whole  will  double  the  half. — All  I mean  to  express  is  that 
whatever  is  attempted,  should  be  well  executed  as  it  respects 
Crops — and  as  it  respects  meadows  and  other  improvements, 
to  complete,  and  make  good  as  one  goes. — It  was  not  my  in- 
tention to  apply  what  I have  here  said,  to  the  state  in  which 
you  have  described  your  Corn  ground  to  be  under  from  so 
much  rain,  or  to  any  particular  case ; but  as  general  observa- 
tions which  I am  persuaded  will  hold  good  in  all  cases. — An 
essential  object  with  every  farmer  ought  to  be  the  destruction 
of  weeds. — His  arable  and  pasture  gr^®  should  produce  nothing 
but  grain,  pulse  if  he  raises  them,  vegitables  of  different 
sorts,  according  to  his  designs,  and  grasses. — Nothing  then 
but  deep  and  frequent  plowing,  hoeing,  and  hand  weeding, 
can  eradicate  weeds ; and  such  other  trash  as  foul,  and  ex- 
haust the  fields,  and  diminish  the  Crops : and  these,  neither 
in  season,  in  quantity,  or  quality  can  be  given,  if  more  is  un- 
dertaken than  the  force  and  means  are  competent  to. — I am 
glad  to  hear  that  the  young  Timothy  is  beginning  to  shew  it- 
self in  the  New  Meadows. — It  is  an  ardent  wish  of  mine  to 
have  the  whole  well  covered  with  grass — free  from  sprouts 
and  weeds,  and  smooth  for  the  scythe. — How  does  the  Clover 
which  was  sown  with  the  Oats  at  Mansion  house  come  on  ? — 
Does  the  Potatoes  at  that  place  look  well? — and  what  is  the 
general  appearance  of  them  at  the  Farms? — 

Crow  has  been  applying  to  Colonel  Ball  (near  Leesburgh 
in  Loudoun  County)  for  a place — if  therefore,  he  or  M^Koy 
remains,  it  will  only  be  because  (after  enquiry)  they  find  they 
cannot  do  better. — I would  have  you  therefore,  make  your 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


97 


agreements  with  whomsoever  you  may  think  will  answer  your 
purposes  on  the  Eastern  shore,  or  elsewhere,  conclusive  ; 
otherwise  you  may  meet  with  some  disappointment ; and  at 
a late  hour  perhaps,  be  obliged  to  put  up  with  any  you  can 
get. — For  your  own  ease  and  satisfaction,  I am  persuaded  you 
will  endeavor  to  provide  men  of  good  character  ; and  such  as 
have  the  reputation  of  being  industrious,  sober,  and  knowing 
in  the  management  of  Xegros,  and  other  concerns  of  a farm. 
— These  things  being  ascertained  to  your  own  satisfaction,  is 
all  I require ; as  you  know  what  has  been,  or  ought  to  be 
given  for  such  Overlookers  as  I stand  in  need  of. — 

It  seems  to  me,  to  be  indispensibly  necessary  that  some 
person  should  be  engaged  in  place  of  Thomas  Green,  to  look 
after  my  Carpenters  ; for  in  the  manner  they  conduct  under 
his  superintendancy,  it  would  be  for  my  interest  to  set  them 
free,  rather  than  give  them  victuals  and  cloaths. — James,  by 
the  Reports,  has  been  9 days  I perceive,  in  plaining  the  floors 
of  the  house  in  town — Muclus  (besides  what  was  done  to  it 
before)  six  days  paving,  and  sanding  the  Cellar  which  a man 
in  Philadelphia  w*^  have  done  in  less  than  as  many  hours. — 
Davis  eight  or  nine  days  papering,  and  so  on : — whilst  Green 
himself,  and  the  others,  appear  determined  (as  it  would  seem 
to  me)  to  make  the  new  house  at  Union  farm  a standing  job 
for  the  Summer  ; — as  the  chimney,  and  underpinning  will, 
more  than  probably  be,  for ‘Davis  the  same  time. — When  this 
last  work  is  done,  that  is,  underpinning  the  house,  it  must  be 
remembered  that  air  holes  is  left  in  it,  to  prevent  the  Sleepers 
from  rotting. — 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  say  beforehand,  that  no  trifling 
character  (unless  he  means  to  tread  in  the  footsteps  of  Green) 
will  do  for  an  Overlooker  of  these  workmen. — Besides  the 
usual  requisites  of  skill,  honesty,  sobriety  and  industr}*,  he 
must  be  a man  of  temper;  firmness,  and  resolution. — for  it  is 
not  to  be  expected  that  men  who  have  been  in  the  habits  of 

such  extreme  idleness  so  long,  probably  of  a great  deal  of 
7 


98 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


villainy,  can  be  recovered  from  it  without  prudent  manage- 
ment, and  much  resolution,  properly  tempered. — I do  not 
mean  that  a person  in  the  place  of  Green  should  be  employed 
before  his  year  expires,  unless  his  conduct,  in  the  meantime 
should,  in  your  judgment,  indispensibly  require  it. — 

I would  not  have  you  engage  any  person  in  the  room  of 
Butler  yet,  though  it  would  be  but  fair  and  candid  to  let  him 
know,  that  by  his  age,  inactivity,  and  unacquaintedness  with 
the  management  of  Xegros,  it  would  not  suit  me  to  continue 
him  longer  than  for  the  term  he  stands  engaged,  at  present. — 
If  it  suits  him  equally  to  go  away  before  the  expiration  of 
that  term,  I would,  in  that  case,  write  to  the  farmer  I have 
mentioned  to  you  in  my  two  last  letters,  to  see  if  he  is  still 
disengaged,  and  would  go  there — But  unless  Butler’s  inclina- 
tion leads  him  to  go,  I shall  neither  require  it,  nor  write  to 
the  other. — 

As  soon  as  you  are  able  to  fix  up  on  the  precise  time  at 
which  you  shall  leave  Mount  Yernon  for  the  Eastern  shore, 
mention  it  in  a letter,  and  when  it  is  probable  you  will  be 
back,  that  I may  regulate  my  letters  accordingly. — 

The  Bacon  and  other  things  which  you  sent  up  to  Alex- 
andria are  arrived  in  good  order,  in  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia.— 

I have  nothing  more  to  add  than  that,  as  this  is  the  critical 
month  for  Corn,  which  is  also  a plant  that  is  subject  to  great 
and  sudden  changes,  my  desire  is  that  you  will  mention  the  ap- 
pearance of  it  in  every  letter  you  write. — I want  also  to  know 
how  the  Buck  Wheat,  sown  for  Seed,  has  come  up,  and  looks  ? 
— and  whether,  of  that  you  turned  in  as  a manure,  there  was 
seed  enough  ripe  to  stock  the  ground  again  with  this  plant. — 
I am 

Your  friend  &c^ 

G®  Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


99 


XXXII. 

German  Town  Aug*^  10^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  duly  received  your  letter  of  the  3^,  witli  the  reports 
of  the  preceding  week. — 

If  you  think  the  Oat  ground  at  River  farm,  will  not  be  too 
much  drawn  by  a succeeding  Crop  of  Wheat,  for  Clover ; I 
have  no  objection  to  your  sowing  it  with  Wheat. — but  I have 
serious  doubts  on  this  head ; and  doubts  equally  serious  of 
another  kind, — viz — that  on  such  stiff  and  baking  land  as  mine 
is,  sowing  Clover  on  Wheat,  in  the  Spring,  (or  which  is  still 
better,  on  light  Snows  in  the  Month  of  January  or  February) 
will  rarely  answer. — A proof  of  this  you  have  had  both  at 
Dogue  Run  and  Union  Farm  the  present  year ; and  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection  I have  not  been  much  more  successful 
in  former  years. — But  I leave  it  to  you  to  act  in  this  case 
according  to  your  own  judgment. — (As  I have  understood 
from  you,  that  your  own  land  is  equally  stiff  with  mine,  you 
will  know  better  how  to  manage  the  latter  than  if  it  had  been 
different.) 

It  is  my  wish  to  lay  the  ground  you  speak  of  to  Clover  as 
soon  as  possibly  it  can  be  put  into  condition  to  bear  it,  to  any 
advantage ; — for  until  this  happens,  the  seed  is,  in  a manner, 
thrown  away ; and  an  expence,  without  profit,  is  incurred. — 

When  the  Money  becomes  due,  for  the  fiour  sold  in  Alex- 
andria, receive  the  same  ; — take  from  it  what  your  necessities 
may  require  ; — and  deposit  the  rest  in  the  Bank  at  that  place; 
where  it  will  be  ready  for  my  call,  or  any  order  I may  give 
concerning  it ; inform  me  thereof. — I do  not  perceive  by  the 
Spinning  report,  that  any  of  the  Girls  are  employed  in  mak- 
ing woolen  cloaths  for  the  people  ; — nor  do  I know  what  cloth 
you  have  on  hand  (from  the  Weavers)  for  this  purpose. — All 
ought  to  be  ready  by  the  first  of  November,  to  deliver  to 
them. — 


100 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I do  not,  at  this  distance,  pretend  to  determine  when  your 
people,  generally^  will  have  most  leizure  for  the  purpose,  but 
this  I can  determine,  that  whenever  it  does  happen,  all  hands 
that  can  be  spared,  ought  to  be  employed  on  the  ~New  Kace 
to  the  Mill ; — for  the  time  spent  in  repairing  the  old  Kace 
after  every  Kain,  would  go  a good  way  towards  the  comple- 
tion of  the  new  one ; — besides  the  great  saving  of  water. — 

If  you  think  the  Fall  a better  time  to  sow  the  Seeds  wdiich 
have  been  saved  from  the  little  garden,  and  the  Vineyard, 
than  the  Spring,  I could  wish  to  have  it  done,  as  I am  ex- 
tremely anxious  to  encrease  the  quantity  of  each  as  fast  as 
I am  able ; — particularly  the  Sainfoin ; but  if,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  Spring  is  thought  the  safest  season,  the  sowing 
may  be  delayed  until  that  period : — wh^^^,  on  one  acc*^,  would 
be  convenient,  as  I wish  to  sow  them  in  squares  in  the  lot 
now  in  Potatoes  at  the  Mansion  house. — 

Desire  the  Gardener  to  save  as  much  seed  as  he  can  from 
the  everlasting  Pea,  in  the  Vineyard. — I cannot  but  be  of 
opinion  that  this  Pea,  cut  young,  will  make  an  excellent 
Hay. — The  quantity  of  it  will  be  great — and  its  continuance 
in  the  ground,  long. — J^or  do  I believe  it  requires  very  strong 
land  to  produce  it. 

I am — Your  friend 

G°  Washington. 

P.  S. 

Sow  the  early,  that  is  the  drilled  Wheat,  in  good  ground 
and  in  good  time,  that  the  most  that  can,  may  be  made  of 
it. — 

If  there  is  nothing  in  the  ground  (in  the  little  garden)  ad- 
joining to  the  few  plants  of  Sainfoin,  you  might  put  one  half 
the  seed  of  that  plant  which  the  Gardener  saved  therein — let 
the  rows  be  about  12  inches  apart — and  the  seed  very  thin  in 
the  Rows — the. other  half  may  be  kept  for  Spring  sowing  to 
take  both  seasons. 


AND  iVIOUNT  VERNON. 


101 


XXXIII. 

' German  Town  Aug^  17^^  1794. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  10*"^  has  been  duly  received,  and  1 am 
glad  to  find  by  it  that  your  Corn  still  retains  a favorable 
appearance,  and  that  the  ground  on  which  it  grows  is  in 
tolerable  good  order  for  the  reception  of  Wheat. — I wish  it 
had  been  in  perfect  order,  as  I have  no  idea  of  the  propriety 
of'  seeding  where  it  is  not. — You  have  not  yet  answered  a 
cpiestion  in  one  of  my  late  letters — viz — whether  the  Buck 
Wheat  which  had  been  plowed  in  for  Manure,  had  so  seeded 
the  ground  as  to  bring  forward  a second  crop  of  that  article, 
for  the  same  purpose — that  is,  for  manure. — 

I cannot  with  certainty  recollect,  whether  I saw  the  India 
hemp  growing  when  I was  last  at  Mount  Yernon  ; — but  think 
it  was  in  the  Yineyard  ; — somewhere  I hope  it  was  sown,  and 
therefore  desire  that  the  seed  may  be  saved  in  due  season 
and  with  as  little  loss  as  possible : — that,  if  it  be  valuable,  I 
may  make  the  most  of  it. — 

What  appearance  does  the  Potatoes,  which  the  Gardener 
attempted  to  raise  from  the  Sprouts,  put  on  at  this  time  ; 
and  what  are  they  likely  to  come  to,  compared  with  such  as 
might  have  been  produced  in  the  same  ground,  planted  at 
the  same  time,  in  the  usual  way. — 

When  I was  at  home,  an  application  was  made  to  me  by 
Kate  at  Muddy  hole  (through  her  husband.  Will)  to  serve 
the  Xegro  Women  (as  a Grany)  on  my  estate;  intimating 
that  she  was  full  as  well  qualified  for  this  purpose  as  those 
into  whose  hands  it  was  entrusted  ; and  to  whom  I was  pay- 
ing twelve  or  £15  a year;  and  why  she  should  not  be  so,  I 
know  not ; but  wish  you  to  cause  some  enquiry  to  be  made 
into  this  matter,  and  commit  this  business  to  her,  if  there- 
upon you  shall  be  satisfied  of  her  qualifications. — This  sei*- 
vice,  formerly,  was  always  performed  by  a Xegro  woman 


102 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


belonging  to  the  estate, — but  latterly,  until  now,  none  seemed 
disposed  to  undertake  it. 

I perceive  by  the  George  Town  Gazette,  that  the  Potomac 
Company,  by  their  Treasurer  William  Hartshorn  of  Alex- 
andria, has  called  upon  the  holders  of  Shares  in  that  Naviga- 
tion for  twelve  pounds  ster^  each,  to  be  paid  on,  or  before 
the  first  day  of  next  month  (September). — I hold  five  shares 
in  this  Company,  which  will  make  the  call  upon  me  £60 
Ster"  which  is  to  be  discharged  at  an  exchange  of  33|-  p*^  C^ ; 
w®^' amounts  to  about  £80  Yirg^  Curr^  or  266f.doll^. — Let 
this  sum  be  paid  by  the  day,  or  I shall  have  interest  to  pay 
for  every  day  it  runs  over. — You  will  pay  it  out  of  the 
money  due  for  the  Flour  which  was  sold  in  Alexandria,  and 
w^^^  I desired  should  be  placed  in  the  Bank. 

Not  having  CoP  Lyles  Bond  by  me,  I cannot  make  a clear 
statement  of  the  matter  in  my  Books,  without  knowing  the 
precise  condition  of  it. — I therefore  desire  you  will  send  me 
an  exact  copy  of  the  condition  of  the  said  bond,  with  the 
date  thereof,  in  your  first  letter. — 

I do  not  conceive  that  you  will  sustain  any  loss  in  parting 
with  Crow — for  a mans  abilities,  or  knowledge  of  business  is 
of  little  avail  if  they  are  not  exerted ; or  if  he  suffers  in- 
dolence, or  amusements  to  overcome  them — and  a bad  temper 
to  keep  all  around  him  in  a state  of  disquietude  which  was 
too  much  the  case  with  him,  as  well  as  loss  of  Stock  and 
injury  to  other  things,  by  his  inattentions  and  neglect. — Do 
what  you  think  best  with  M^Koy,  but  recollect  always,  that 
the  season  for  providing  good  overseers  is  passing  away,  and 
none  will  be  to  be  had  late,  except  such  as,  with  difficulty, 
can  get  places  at  all ; — yet,  I had  rather  you  should  take  the 
chance  of  the  Eastern  shore  before  you  engage  any  on  the 
other  shore  or  round  ab^  you ; as  they  are  more  accustomed 
to  farming. — But  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  let  it  be  generally 
known,  before  you  go  to  the  Eastern  shore,  that  you  are  in 
want  of  Overseers;  that  if  you  fail  to  obtain  any,  while 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


103 


there,  your  chance  may  be  the  better  after  you  return. — I 
have  not  the  smallest  doubt  but  that  a considerable  portion 
of  the  materials  which  falls  into  the  hands  of  Green,  and 
those  under  him,  are  applied  to  pui-poses  of  their  own. — A 
letter  is  enclosed  for  Butler,  who  must  take  his  own  wa,y. — 
as  to  going  or  staying. 

I hope  your  sick  daughter  has  got  well  again. — I am  Your 
friend  &c* 

G®  Washington. 

What  rare  ripe  corn  will  you  be  able  to  save  from  what  I 
sent  home  last  Spring  ? in  part  of  an  Ear. — 

XXXIY. 

German  Town  24^^  Aug*^  94. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  16^^  which,  with  the  reports, 
came  duly  to  hand,  I have  only  to  observe  that  it  never  was 
my  intention  to  withdraw  the  hands  from  other  essential 
work  to  employ  them  on  the  Xew  Mill-Bace ; on  the  con- 
trary I only  wish  that  this  job  may  be  prosecuted  at  times — 
and  at  all  times,  when  their  other  avocations  will  permit  it, 
without  detriment. — Xo  _work  is  more  essential,  nor  is  their 
any  that  can  be  more  pleasing  to  me,  than  that  of  getting  the 
meadows  in  nice  order ; — of  course,  employing  the  Ditchers 
to  effect  this  cannot  but  be  satisfactory. 

I wish  the  Overseer  you  have  lately  engaged  may  turn  out 
well. — The  Masons’  may  judge  tolerably  of  his  industry,  but 
they  are  very  incompetent  (in  my  opinion)  to  decide  on  his 

’ Of  the  adjoining  estate,  “ Hollin  Hall,”  residence  of  Thomson  Mason, 
an  eminent  lawyer  (3d  son  of  George  Mason  of  Gunston).  Thomson  Mason’s 
estate  is  mentioned  in  Washington’s  Will.  Stafford  County  was  the  earlier 
home  of  the  Masons,  and  was  for  many  years  represented  by  an  earlier 
Thomson  Mason.  Washington’s  neighbor  was  father  of  the  eminent  Sena- 
tor, Stevens  Thomson  Mason,  and  grandfather  of  the  Hon.  Armstead  T. 
Mason.  (Appendix  I.) 


104 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


skill  in  any  of  the  branches  of  farming — particularly  those 
of  Meadowing,  grazing,  and  the  care  of  stock  ; — being  plant- 
ers themselves  and  little  used  to  either. — However,  if  he  is 
sober,  honest,  industrious  and  docile,  he  may  do  under  your 
immediate  instructions,  if  you  can  keep  him  always  with  his 
people  (and  this  I hope  you  will  do)  and  make  him  be  atten- 
tive to  your  orders  and  whatsoever  is  trusted  to  his  care,  es- 
pecially work  horses  and  Cattle. 

Alexandria  will  be  no  good  school  for  Pine  ; and  if  you 
can  find  by  enquiry  after  his  having  been  there,  that  he  falls 
into  bad  habits,  or  bad  company,  do  not  be  concerned  with 
him,  let  his  promises  be  what  they  may  ; for  these  will  fol- 
low him  to  Mount  Yernon,  where  I would  have  neither  intro- 
duced.— I am  under  no  sort  of  obligation  to  him,  and  there- 
fore he  can  have  no  cause  to  complain  if  he  is  not  employed 
by  me. 

Enclosed  is  a letter  from  Mr.  Butler. — On  what  ground  he 
can  expect  further  compensation  than  the  agreement  stipu- 
lates, I am  at  a loss  to  conceive. — He  will  recollect  that  he 
represented  himself  to  me  as  a person  who  had,  and  was 
qualified  to  superintend,  a large  concern. — Under  this  idea  it 
is  highly  probable  I might,  and  I dare  say  did,  tell  him  that 
if  he  was  found  competent  to  it,  on  tidal,  that  he  would  be 
entrusted  with  the  management  of  one  of  the  Farms,  where 
the  wages  were  higher  than  could  be  afforded  at  the  Man- 
sion house — but  has  this  been  the  case  ? — On  the  contrary, 
has  it  not  been  found,  from  experience,  that  from  his  age, 
inactivity,  and  want  of  authority,  he  is  incompetent  to  the 
present  concern,  with  which  he  was  entrusted  ; and  for  these 
reasons  I part  with  him  ? and  They  are,  surely,  a sufficient  bar 
to  his  application  ; — unless,  as  possibly  is  the  case,  he  means 
not  to  be  charged  with  the  money  which  was  given  to  him 
to  bear  his  expences  from  Philadelphia  to  Mount  Yernon. — 
This  I did  not  intend  to  do  ; and  further,  if  he  goes  away  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  the  year,  he  may,  notwithstanding,  re- 


AND  MOUNT  A^ERNON. 


105 


ceive  the  whole  wages  of  one ; — what  agreement  you  made 
with  him  for  the  last  year,  I know  not — I always  supposed  he 
was  on  the  same  lay  as  the  year  before ; and  this  must  cer- 
tainly be  understood  if  no  new  agreement  was  made. — 

Is  Groves  a married  or  single  man  ? — If  the  former,  what 
family  has  he  ? 

How  did  your  Turnips  come  up  ? and  what  is  the  present 
appearance  of  them  for  a Crop  ? — What  is  the  matter  with 
your  youngest  daughter  ? and  how  is  your  eldest  now  ? 

I remain  Your  friend  &c,^ 

G®  Washington. 

XXXY. 

German  Town  31®^  of  Aug*^  1794. 

Hr.  Pearce, 

In  your  last  letter  of  the  24*"^  inst^,  came  a copy  of  the  con- 
ditions of  CoP  Lyles  Bond  ; but  you  did  not  give  the  date  of 
it ; for  which  reason  the  purpose  it  was  wanted  for,  cannot 
be  accomplished  until  the  date  is  transmitted. — 

In  one  of  the  early  letters  I wrote  to  you,  I pointed  out  a 
method,  which  if  you  would  observe,  it  would  be  impossible 
to  omit  any  thing  to  which  an  answer  was  required : — that  is, 
when  you  are  going  to  write,  take  up  the  letter,  and  in  read- 
ing it,  make  a short  note  of  every  part  as  you  come  to  it,  on 
the  back  of  a letter,  a piece  of  waste  paper ; or  Slate,  to  which 
a reply  is  necessary. — Having  gone  through  the  letter  in  this 
manner,  you  begin  your  own  ; and  note  after  note,  as  the 
contents  are  inserted  in  your  letter,  is  scratched  out. — By 
this  means  no  part  of  a long  letter  can  ever  escape  notice ; by 
not  carrying  the  whole  in  your  memory,  when  you  sit  down 
to  write,  or  by  being  called  off  while  you  are  writing  it. — 
You  have  not,  in  any  of  your  letters,  said  any  thing  of 
what  you  had  done,  or  was  about  to  do,  respecting  the  drilled 
Wheat  and  Barley. — I would  have  you  make  the  most  you 


106 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


can  of  the  first, — and  give  the  other  another  fair  trial ; for  if 
it  yields  on  my  Estate  in  the  proportion  that  Wheat  does  to 
Barley  in  this  Country,  the  culture  of.  the  latter  must  be 
more  profitable  than  that  of  the  former. — Whenever  the  sow- 
ing of  any  field  is  compleated,  let  it  be  noted  in  the  Weekly 
report ; with  the  quantity  of  Seed  which  has  been  given  to 
it. — 

The  usual  practice  on  those  who  have  been  siezed  with  the 
ague  and  fever,  has  been,  after  the  third  fit,  or  as  soon  as  it 
intermits  regularly,  to  give  an  emetic,  which  often  carries  it 
away  without  the  Bark,  or  other  application. — 

The  land  Mr.  Gunnel  speaks  of,  lyes  in  Loudoun  County, 
although  it  is  within  18  or  20  miles  of  Alexandria — But  if 
the  facts  which  he  relates  with  respect  to  the  Trespass  thereon 
can  be  clearly  proved,  request  Col®  Simms  of  Alexandria,  or 
any  other  who  practices  in  Loudoun  Court,  and  is  well  recom- 
mended to  you,  to  bring  suit  against  them  : — for  it  is  really 
shameful  to  be  treated  in  the  manner  I am  by  people  who 
take  such  liberties  with  my  timber  and  wood  during  my  ab- 
sence— under  a supposition  they  may  do  it  with  impunity. — 

You  may  inform  Mr.  Pierce  Bailey  that  my  selling,  or 
not  selling  that  tract,  depends  upon  getting  the  terms  of  my 
asking,  complied  with. — These  are  Fifteen  hundred  pounds 
(Yirg^  currency) — Five  hundred  of  which  to  be  paid  down, 
and  interest  on  the  other  two  thirds  until  discharged — the 
credit  to  be  agreed  on  which  may  be  3,  four,  or  more  years  ; 
provided  the  land  and  a Bond  is  given  as  security  for  pay- 
ment of  the  principal ; and  some  unquestionable  surety  for 
the  regular  discharge  of  the  interest  on  the  day  it  becomes 
due. — Mr.  Gill  of  Alexandria  came  up  to  my  price,  but  we 
differed  with  respect  to  the  Interest. — There  is  about  300 
acres  of  it,  with  two  good  Mill  Seats  on  it — one  wholly  mine, 
the  other  on  difficult  run  which  divides  my  land  from  others. 
— There  is  also  a good  deal  of  Meadow  land  on  the  tract. — 

I have  no  objection  to  your  putting  up  the  Still  which  is  at 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


107 


Mount  Yernon,  if  any  advantage  from  it  can  be  derived  under 
the  tax,  which  is  laid  upon  it ; — which  Doct^  Stuart ' and 
others,  who  have  Stills,  can  give  you  better  information  than 
I am  able  to  do. — 

What  is  the  matter  with  young  Boatswain  ? who,  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection  has  been  on  the  sick  list  many  Weeks. 
— I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend  &c^ 

Washington. 

XXXYI. 

German  Town  SepU  7^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  31®*  ult°  with  the  Reports,  I have  re- 
ceived.— 

A few  days  ago  I received  a letter  from  Mr.  Pyne  dated  in 
the  City  of  Washington  still  expressing  a desire  to  be  em- 
ployed at  Mount  Yernon,  and  a wdsh  to  be  there  some  short 
time  before  Butler  left  it,  that  he  might  get  a little  insight 
into  the  nature  of  the  business,  previous  to  his  entering  upon 
duty. — I referred  him  for  his  being  employed  at  all,  and  for 
the  terms  and  time,  to  you ; not  chusing  to  enter  into  any 
agreement  with  him  myself  lest  it  might  militate  with  any 
views  of  yours; — desiring  him  to  shew  you  the  letter  I wrote 
to  him  on  this  subject,  that  you  might  be  acquainted  with  my 
ideas  thereon. — 

Enclosed  is  a certificate  for  Mr.  Butler. — The  latter  part  I 
suppose  he  w*^  have  dispensed  with ; — but  in  my  opinion  it  is 
necessary  that  the  whole  truth  on  such  occasions  should  be 
told ; for  I have  no  idea  that  with  a view  to  serve  one  person 
it  is  justifiable  to  deceive  another  ; — and  wdthout  that  part,  it 

* Dr.  David  Stuart,  of  Ossian  Hall,  Fairfax  Co.,  who  married  (1783)  the 
widow  of  Mrs.  Washington’s  son,  John  Parke  Custis.  Dr.  Stuart  was  the 
son  of  George  the  Third’s  Minister  of  that  name.  He  was  a much  trusted 
adviser  of  Washington  who  remembered  him  in  his  will : “To  Doctor  David 
Stuart  I give  my  large  shaving  and  dressing  table,  and  my  telescope.” 


108 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


might  with  propriety  be  asked  why  I parted  with  him. — If 
his  activity,  spirit,  and  ability  in  the  management  of  Negros 
were  equal  to  his  honesty,  sobriety  and  industry  there  would 
not  be  the  least  occasion  for  a change. — 

It  is  not  possible  for  me,  at  this  distance,  to  say  when  the 
Carpenters  and  Negros  on  the  respective  farms  will  be  most 
at  leisure  for  removing  the  Negro  quarters  at  Union,  and 
Uiver  Farms  ; but  if  this  work  is  not  set  about  before  the 
weather  gets  cool,  it  may  be  dangerous  (as  the  daubing  and 
lilling  in  will  be  green,  and  not  sun  enough  to  dry  them  be- 
fore winter)  to  put  the  Negros  in  them ; — and  besides,  after  > 
the  ground  gets  soft  and  slippery,  the  trouble,  and  time  neces- 
sary to  accomplish  the  removal  of  the  houses  will  be  double. 
— I have  nothing  further  to  add  at  present  than  to  wish  you 
and  family  well. — Being 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 


XXXYII. 

German  Town  [Pa]  Sep*  14**^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  well  satisfied  that  the  omission  of  the  date  of  CoP 
Lyle’s  bond  was  accident,  and  not  design — and  for  that  rea- 
son suggested  a mode,  by  the  observance  of  which,  no  in- 
formation that  is  required  will  ever  be  omited.- — When  is 
that  Gentleman,  by  promise,  to  discharge  this  bond  ? 

1 think  you  were  quite  right  in  sowing  the  early  (or 
drilled)  Wheat  at  different  seasons,  with  a view  to  discover 
the  best  season  for  it. — But  have  you  been  told,  or  do  you 
know,  that  the  drilled  Wheat  at  Union  farm  was  of  two 
kinds — one  of  them  double-headed. — Unless  Crow  kept  them 
asunder,  the  next  growth  from  these  seeds  will  be  a curious 
botch  potch. — 

I am  soriy  to  hear  of  the  heavy  rains  you  have  had,  on 
many  accounts  ; but  on  none  more  than  throwing  you  back- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


109 


ward  in  the  Mill  swamps,  and  the  hard  and  unfit  condition  it 
will  put  them  grounds  for  the  reception  of  the  grass  seeds, 
even  if  it  should  not  have  gullied  and  washed  the  soil  off,  in 
places. — I know  too,  that  besides  stopping  your  ploughs  on 
acc^  of  the  wetness  of  the  land,  that  such  rains  are  apt  to 
gully  the  fields  already  sown  with  Wheat ; and  to  render 
those  which  have  not  received  the  seed,  in  a much  worse  con- 
dition for  this  purpose  ; but  as  these  are  the  effects  of  Prov- 
idential dispensations,  resignation  is  our  duty. — I am  per- 
suaded you  will  render  the  disadvantage  as  light  as  possible, 
and  that  is  all  I can  expect. — Under  these  circumstances  I 
hope  the  season  has  not  urged  you  to  sow  faster  than  the  ground 
was  in  order ; for  I know  no  practice  worse  than  ploughing 
and  sowing  when  it  is  too  wet. 

Drains  in  all  the  fields  that  require  it  (and  none  requires  it 
more  than  6 at  Dogue  Pun)  if  those  heavy  rains^had  not 
come,  ought  to  be  made  before  the  winter  wets  set  in  ; as, 
for  want  of  these,  and  notwithstanding  I am  continually  in- 
culcating this  doctrine  upon  my  Overseers,  I have  much 
Wheat  drowned  every  year. 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  you,  among  others,  have  the  Ague 
and  fever. — It  has,  from  what  I hear,  been  uncommonly  rife 
this  year  ; — occasioned  it  is  presumed,  by  the  wetness  of  the 
Summer. — An  emetic, "after  it  becomes  regular,  as  I men- 
tioned in  one  of  my  former  letters,  and  care,  generally  re- 
moves it. — 

The  actual  spitting  of  young  Boatswain  should  be  carefully 
investigated,  and  medical  aid  administered  if  it  be  real ; — 
which,  from  the  temper  of  the  boy's  mother,  and  her  desire 
of  keeping  him  with  her  as  a waiter,  may  well  be  questioned. 
— Under  pretence  once  before,  of  a hurt  by  a Cart  she  kept 
liim  three  months  (if  I recollect  rightly)  in  the  house  witli 
lier,  until  he  was  forced  out ; and  this  may  be  the  case  again. 

Wliilst  some  deny,  other  affirm,  that  the  yellow  fever  is  in 
Baltimore — I shall  decide  nothing  on  this  head  myself,  and 


110 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


only  mention  the  matter,  that  if  that  should  be  jour  rout  to 
the  Eastern  Shore,  whensoever  you  may  go,  that  you  may  be 
on  your  guard. 

I am  Your  friend 

Washington. 

XXXYIII. 

Philadelphia  Sep.  21®*^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  14^^  inst*^  and  the  weekly  reports,  have 
been  rec^. 

We  left  our  Quarters  at  German  Town  yesterday,  and  are 
again  fixed  in  this  City. 

Thomas  Green’s  quitting  my  business  of  his  own  accord — 
whatever  the  pretence  may  be — is  in  my  opinion  a lucky  cir- 
cumstance, as  my  repugnance  to  turning  him  away  was  on 
account  of  his  helpless  family. — These  you  may  suffer  to  re- 
main where  they  are,  until  he  can  provide  a place  for  them ; — 
or  until  you  may  have  occasion  for  the  house  for  his  successor ; 
provided  this  is  not  unreasonably  delayed. — Old  Bishop  must 
be  taken  care  of  whether  he  goes  or  stays. 

It  would  be  well  that  you  should  be  off — or  on  with  Pyne, 
without  more  delay ; — first  because  the  season  for  providing 
Overseers  is  getting  late ; — 2*^^^  because  he  may  have  found 
employment,  or  received  offers  in  the  Federal  City  (where 
wages  are  high)  of  such  a nature  as  to  raise  his  expectations 
above  what  the  services  you  want  him  for,  would  enable  me 
to  give. — 

What  have  you  done  with  McKoy  ? — Does  he  go,  or  stay 
another  year  ? and  what  are  the  present  appearances  of  the 
stone  quarry  at  Mount  Yernon? — Last  year  a Xephew  of 
mine  living  in  Westmoreland  County,  about  70  miles  below 
you ; ' had  partly  engaged  a man  (who  was  master  of  two  or 


* Col.  William  Augustine  (1757-1810),  son  of  the  General’s  half-brother, 
Aug.  Washington.  His  mother  was  Anne  Aylett.  He  married  first  Jane 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


Ill 


three  Negro  Carpenters  of  his  own,  which  he  was  to  bring 
with  him)  to  look  after  mj  Carpenters ; but  the  unwilling- 
ness, on  acc*  of  Green’s  family,  to  turn  him  away,  prevented 
it. — This  objection  being  removed,  the  enclosed  letter,  left 
open  for  jmur  perusal,  may  be  forwarded,  or  destroyed,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances,  at  the  time  you  receive  it ; as  you 
will  best  know  what  steps  you  have  taken,  and  your  prospect 
of  succeeding,  to  supply  the  place  of  Green  with  a competent 
character  by  other  means. — 

I am  glad  to  find  by  your  last  letter  that  the  several  Crops 
which  are  now  on  the  ground  look  as  well  as  could  reasonably 
be  expected. — It  is,  and  has  been,  much  my  wish  to  make  a 
visit  to  Mount  Yernon  before  the  meeting  of  Congress,  on 
the  first  monday  in  Novem”^; — and  I assuredly  should  have 
done  it,  had  it  not  been  for  the  Insurrection  in  the  Western 
counties  of  this  State ' — which,  for  ought  I know  to  the  con- 
trary, at  present  may,  instead  of  it,  make  it  necessary  for  me 
to  move  that  way. — The  state  of  things  at  this  moment  does 
not,  however,  enable  me  to  decide  on  either  movement  with 
precision. — One  thing  certain,  is,  that  if  I am  not  at  Mount 
Yernon  before  the  15^^  of  October,  it  is  not  within  the 
bounds  of  probability  that  I shall,  before  the  Spring,  be  at 
that  place ; as  public  business  will  compel  me  to  be  at  the 
Seat  of  Government  (in  this  City)  before  the  first  of  Novem- 
ber (a  few  days  before  the  Meeting  of  Congress)^ — 


Washington,  daughter  of  the  General’s  own  brother,  John  Aug.  ; second  a 
daughter  of  Richard  Henrj  Lee ; third  a daughter  of  Col.  John  Tayloe. 
To  this  nephew  (Wm.  Aug.)  Washington  bequeathed  the  first  choice  of  his 
four  swords.  He  selected  the  dress  sword,  since  decorated  with  a myth  that 
it  was  presented  by  Frederick  the  Great,  as  “ from  the  oldest  general  in  the 
world  to  the  greatest.”  The  same  nephew  was  one  of  the  executors  of 
Washington’s  Will. 

’ The  Whiskey  Rebellion  at  Pittsburgh. 

^ This  is  a passage  of  some  historical  significance.  A stormy  discussion 
was  going  on  as  to  the  constitutional  right  of  the  president  to  command  the 
army  in  person,  the  “republicans”  generally  denying,  the  “ federalists  ” 
aflBrming  that  right.  It  presently  turned  on  the  right  of  the  president  to 


112 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Mrs.  Fanny  Washington  has  requested  leave  for  her  Over- 
seer Tayler  to  get  as  many  boards  from  my  land  in  the  iN’eck, 
or  else  where,  as  will  cover  a Corn  house  at  her  Plantation, 
w®^  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  erect ; — this  you  may  permit, 
without  waste,  to  be  done  by  her  own  Carpenters,  without 
any  aid  of  mine. — 

Mrs.  Washington  requests  that  the  Gardener  would  send 
her  some  Artichoke  seed  of  the  best  kind  he  has,  and  by  the 
tirst  Post  under  cover  to  me. — 

I remain  your  friend  and  well  wisher, 

G”  Washington. 


XXXIX. 

Philadelphia  SepP  28^^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

In  a seperate  letter  of  this  date,  I have  wrote  you  pretty 
fully  respecting  the  Xew  Koad  which  you  are  appointed 
Overseer  of,  with  orders  to  open  ; — that  the  letter  may  be 


absent  himself  from  the  seat  of  government  during  the  session  of  Congress. 
I have  a private  note  written  hj  the  Secretary  of  State  (Edmund  Randolph) 
to  Washington,  while  he  was  with  the  army  at  Carlisle,  in  which  (Oct.  11, 
1794)  he  says  : “ If  I conceived  it  possible  that  an  opinion  uttered  in  Bache's 
paper  of  this  morning,  against  the  propriety  of  the  President  holding  the 
command  of  the  army  after  the  meeting  of  Congress,  should  suggest  any 
doiibt  in  your  mind,  I should  take  the  liberty  of  offering  to  you  my  de- 
cided sentiments  to  the  contrary.”  Washington  preserved  silence  on  the 
dispute  ; but  this  letter  to  his  agent  Pearce  shows  that  he  had  made  up  his 
mind,  before  leaving,  to  be  present  at  the  opening  of  Congress.  In  this 
connection  the  following  unpublished  letter  of  Washington  may  be  in- 
serted. It  is  in  reply  to  a letter  of  Major  John  Clark  (York  Borough,  Sept. 
27)  and  dated  at  Carlisle,  6 Oct.  1794  : “ I thank  you  for  your  polite  offer  of 
attending  me  to  the  field,  but  my  going  thither  or  returning  to  the  seat  of 
Government  in  time  for  the  meeting  of  Congress  depends  upon  circum- 
stances not  within  my  information  at  present  as  to  enable  me  to  decide. 
Nothing  short  of  imperious  necessity  can  justify  my  being  absent  from  the 
seat  of  Government  while  Congress  is  in  session.  Under  this  view  of  the 
matter  I decline  making  any  establishment  of  a sute  unless  that  necessity 
appears  when  in  the  choice  of  Aids  I miist  have  regards  to  considerations  of 
different  kinds.” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


113 


shewn  to  the  Court — to  Mr.  Mason — or  whomsoever  is  the 
mover  in  this  business,  without  having  other  matters  of  a 
more  private  nature  blended  therewith. — 

Since  writing  to  you  this  day  week,  I have  engaged  a 
Scotchman,  just  arrived  in  this  country,  in  the  place  of 
Green. — I do  not  expect  much  from  him  as  an  overlooker  ; 
that  is,  I do  not  believe  he  will  carry  much  authority  among 
my  negro  carpenters,  as  he  appears  to  be  a simple,  inoffensive 
man;  and  because,  that  of  House  Carpentry  or  Joinery,  is 
not  his  profession;  but  as  he  has  the  character  of  a very 
honest,  sober,  and  industrious  man,  his  example,  with  such 
representations  as  he  may  make  to  you,  of  neglect  and 
misconduct,  may  be  serviceable. — Making  of  all  sorts  of 
Plows,  Carts,  wheels  of  all  kinds,  and  various  impliments 
of  husbandry,  is  what  he  has  been  brought  up  to  ; though 
lie  says  he  has  worked  two  or  three  years  at  house  work, 
and  can  make  a Sash  or  a pannel  door. — The  buildings  in 
liis  country  being  all  of  Stone,  he  knows  nothing  of  fram- 
ing.— The  enclosed  memorandum  contains  the  out  lines 
of  the  agreement  between  us  ; which  has  yet  been  verbal 
only.— 

I have  told  him  he  is  to  have  Green’s  house.  Garden,  &c\ 
but  if  you  have  not  an  eye  to  it.  Green  will  burn  the  fence  of 
the  latter,  and  strip  the  former  of  everything  he  can. — This 
man  (James  Donaldson)  wdll,  with  his  family,  embark  this 
day  for  Mount  Yernon,  on  board  Capt“  Mitchell. — But  if 
Greens  family  should  not  have  removed,  they,  or  Donaldson’s 
may  go  into  the  room  next  the  Shoemaker’s  till  Green  finds 
a place  to  carry  his  family  to ; which  he  is  to  do  witliout 
waste  of  time ; — for  I do  not  mean  to  keep  them  there,  after 
he  is  gone : — Bishop,  as  I mentioned  in  a late  letter,  must  be 
provided  for  in  some  way  or  other,  to  keep  him  from  suffer- 
ing. 

Donaldson,  if  he  is  really  skilful  in  making  plows.  Carts, 
Wheels,  <fec*^,  may  be  extremely  useful  to  me ; first  in  mak^ 
8 


114 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


these  things  himself  for  the  farms, — and  next,  in  putting  my 
own  people  in  the  way  of  doing  it. — He  is  to  be  furnished 
with  Tools  ; — and  he  wanted  me  to  make  him  some  allowance 
for  his  eldest  son,  who  he  says  could  work — but  the  latter  I 
refused  to  do. — 

I have  written  by  this  Post  to  my  Hephew,  to  countermand 
the  request  contained  in  the  letter  which  passed  through  your 
hands ; — but  I should  not  be  much  disconcerted  (if  they  can 
be  accomodated  with  house  room)  if  both  were  employed  ; as 
the  last  (that  is  the  man  from  WestmoreP)  would  be  more 
competent  to  the  Management  of  the  H’egros,  whilst  the 
other  might  be  principally,  if  not  wholly,  occupied  in  putting 
the  "Wheels,  Carts,  Plows,  and  other  utensils  in  order ; — and 
in  making  and  repairing  Spinning  Wheels  &c*^  &c^  w^^^  he 
professes  to  understand  well. — 

I presume  you  are  upon  some  certainty  ere  this,  with  re- 
spect to  Pyne. — If  you  are  not,  nor  know  not  what  is  become 
of  him,  do  not  on  this  account,  remain  longer  in  suspence 
than  you  can  be  otherwise  provided  ; — he  wrote  to  me  some 
time  ago  from  the  Federal  City. — I am  sorry  to  hear  of  poor 
Butler’s  illness. — The  season  every  where,  has  been  remark- 
[ab]ly  sickly. — 

I leave  this  on  Tuesday  for  Carlisle,  where  I shall  (from  the 
information!  expect  to  receive  from  the  Insu[r]  gent  Counties 
of  this  state)  be  better  enabled  to  determine  whether  I shall 
proceed  on  with  the  Troops,  than  I can  do  here. — If  you  do 
not  see  me  at  M*^  Yernon,  of  which  I have  very  little  hopes, 
by  the  middle  of  October,  you  may  take  it  for  granted  I can- 
not be  there  before  the  meeting  of  Congress ; — and  of  course 
not  till  Spring. 

Pemember  the  promise  I made  to  my  Sister^  of  a Mule,  if 
she  should  send  for  one — let  it  be  a broke  one,  and  good, — 

^ Washington’s  widowed  sister,  Betty  Lewis,  was  in  good  circumstances  ,•  it 
was  simply  through  affection  that  he  occasionally  sent  her  some  useful 
present.  (See  Introduction.) 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


115 


but  not  the  very  best. — Your  letter  (sent  to  this  place  as 
usual)  will  come  regularly  to  me. — 

I am  Your  friend  cfec* 

Washington. 


XL. 

Philadelphia  Sep^  28’^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  21^^  insP,  and  the  Reports 
of  the  preceding  week. — 

I am  glad  to  find  your  seeding  of  Wheat  is  over,  and  that 
it  is  compleated  in  such  good  time. — 

There  cannot,  in  my  opinion,  be  the  smallest  occasion  for 
opening  the  new  road,  which  under  different  circumstances 
than  those  which  exist  at  present,  was  ordered  by  the  Court 
at  mj  jparticular  request. — Xor  would  it  be,  if  opened,  of  the 
least  benefit  to  any  one  except  Mr.  Thompson  ^ Mason  and 
very  little  to  him,  as  he  has  the  free  use  of  all  the  Roads 
(though, with  gates  to  them)  that  he  ever  travelled  before 
that  order  was  obtained. — It  is  to  be  observed  that,  when  I 
applied  for,  and  the  Court  granted  that  Road,  the  design  was, 
to  relieve  me  from  a great  hardship,  without  doing  any  in- 
jury to  the  public  ; for  at  that  time  the  Ferry  called  Posey’s 
(where  Crow  lives)  was  a public  one  ® — of  course  the  Road' 
from  the  Gum-spring  to  it,  and  from  my  Mill  to  it,  were 
public  Roads ; and  by  the  Laws  of  Virginia  Gates  were 
forbid  on  them. — This  prevented  me  from  enclosing  my 
land,  as  the  expence  of  Lanes  on  both  those  Roads  would 
have  been  too  heavy  for  the  advantage  w®^  would  have  re- 

’ Error  for  Thomson.  (See  ante.) 

^ Established  and  originally  owned  by  Capt.  John  Posey,  of  Fairfax,  who 
was  beaten  by  Washington  for  the  House  of  Burgesses  (1765).  The  Ferry 
ran  from  just  above  the  Mount  Vernon  fisheries,  mouth  of  Dogue  Creek  (E) 
across  to  Marshall  Hall.  It  was  bought  and  operated  by  General  Washing- 
ton. 


116 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


suited. — Under  this  view  of  the  case,  and  because  very  few 
who  passed  the  ferry  travelled  the  Alexandria  E-oad,  I was 
led  to  form  the  plan  of  having  but  one  publie  Eoad  through 
my  Mount  Yernon  tract,  which  would  have  been  from  my 
Mill,  by  the  Barn  on  Union  farm,  along  the  string  of  fence 
that  divides  the  upper  from  the  lower  fields,  until  it  came  to 
the  Gate  on  the  hill,  by  a lane,  that  distance. — All,  in  that 
case,  who  would  have  cros’d  the  Ferry  going  to,  or  returning 
from  Maryland,  would  pass  the  Mill  ; — at  which  place,  if  go- 
ing down  the  Country,  they  would  take  the  Eoad  to  Colches- 
ter ; — if  going  towards  the  Mountains  or  Alexandria,  they  w*^ 
have  to  pass  by  Mr.  Lund  Washington’s.^ — This  was  the  real 
situation  of  things  when  the  Court,  on  my  petition,  was 
pleased  to  afford  me  the  relief  I asked,  by  permitting  me  to 
stop  up  the  old,  and  to  open  new  public  Roads. — But  the 
thing  has  now  taken  an  entire  new  shape ; for  finding 
after  this  permission  was  obtained  that  the  Ferry  had  become 
so  unproductive  as  not  even  to  furnish  the  Boats  which  were 
required,  I petitioned  the  Assembly  to  discontinue  it  by  law, 
as  it  was  established  by  law  ; — hence  the  Roads  to  it,  I pre- 
sume, ceased  to  be  public  ; — and  the  new  ones  unnecessary — 
at  least  for  the  present — as  the  old  ones  (with  the  difference 
of  Gates  only)  serve  all  the  • purposes  they  ever  did. — Upon 
this  representation,  which  I am  sure  is  a candid  and  just  one, 
I persuade  myself  that  the  Court  will  not  compel  me  to  open 
the  Road  you  say  you  have  been  required  to  do,  when  no 
person,  half  as  much  as  myself,  would  be  benifitted  by  it. — In 
fact,  with  my  force,  the  thing  is  impracticable  this  fall ; — for 
the  greater  part  of  two  miles,  from  the  levelness  of  the 
ground,  and  water  (knee  depth  at  times)  standing  thereon, 
would  require  a high  causeway  to  render  it  passible  in  the 
winter. — If  it  was  done  I should  derive  more  benefit  from  it 
tlian  any  other  person — for  there  would  be  no  pretext  then 

' “Hayfield.”  Near  the  old  Mill  Dam,  about  4 miles  N.  W.  of  Mount 
Vernon  mansion.  Colchester,  now  a ruin,  is  on  Occoquan  Creek. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


117 


for  passing  througli  inj  Farms  and  leaving  the  gates  open  for 
my  own  stock  to  get  out  and  others  in. — These  sentiments 
may  be  communicated  to  the  Court  if  the  order  with  which 
you  are  served  is  positive — and  to  Mr.  Mason  who  I am  con- 
fident is  not  disposed  to  run  me  to  such  an  expence  at  this 
season  for  so  trifling  (if  any)  an  advantage  to  himself. 

I am  your  friend  tfec’^ 

Washington. 


XLI. 


Reading  OcU  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  thus  far  (55  miles  from  Philadelphia)  on  my  way  to 
Carlisle  agreably  to  what  I wrote  you  on  Sunday  last. — 

As  I am  not  much  accustomed  to  the  management  of  Buck 
Wheat — and  think  I have  heard  you  declare  the  same — the 
purpose  of  my  writing  to  you  now,  is  to  inform  you  that  this 
Crop  on  the  whole  road  I have  travelled,  is  cut  down  (al- 
thougli  I should  have  thought  it  much  too  green)  and  remain- 
ing in  the  field  in  very  small  cocks,  not  larger  than  a Wheats 
sheaf  drawn  to  a point,  at  top,  where  I presume  it  is  to  con- 
tinue until  the  seed  gets  perfectly  ripe,  and  the  straw  cured. — 
The  Potatoes  too  were  ^^ery  where  digging. 

I remain  your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


XLII. 

Carlisle  6^^  October  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I wrote  you  a few  lines  from  Reading  the  first  instant — 
and  the  only  design  of  writing  to  you  now  is,  to  inform' you 
that  I clearly  see  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  visit 
Mount  Vernon  before  the  meeting  of  Congress,  and  of  course 
not  ’till  the  Spring. — I mention  this  matter  that  you  may  not, 


118 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


whenever  the  situation  of  jour  business  will  permit  you  to  be 
absent,  delay  your  journey  to  the  Eastern  Shore  from  an  ex- 
pectation of  seeing  me  in  Virginia. — 

I have  no  particular  directions  to  give,  because  I have  con- 
fidence in  your  judgment,  care  and  integrity. — I would  have, 
however,  all  the  Stock  that  would  be  endangered  in  the 
course  of  the  winter,  disposed  of  before  it  arrives ; — and  no 
more  hogs  put  up  for  Porke  than  such  as  are  of  fit  age  and 
size. — I am  Your  friend  &c^ 

. Washington. 


XLIII. 

Philadelphia  Xov”^  2^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  had  neither  leizure  for,  nor  opportunity  of,  writing 
to  you  since  I did  it  from  Carlisle,  ’till  my  return  to  this 
place ; which  happened  on  Tuesday  last. — In  the  mean  time 
I have  received  your  several  letters  of  the  28‘^  of  Sept^ — and 
5th  2S^  of  last  month. — 

As  the  accident  I met  with  in  June  last,  prevented  my 
riding  about  my  farms  when  I was  last  at  home,  I should 
have  been  very  glad  to  have  made  another  visit  to  it  in  the 
course  of  last  month ; knowing  if  I did  not  do  it  then,  It 
would  not  be  in  my  power  to  do  it  before  April ; as  Congress 
will,  more  than  probably,  set  till  March  and  the  roads  during 
that  month  will  be  in  no  condition  to  travel. — The  perfect 
confidence  however  which  I place  in  your  care,  judgment  and 
integrity ; makes  me  quite  easy  under  the  disappointment ; 
which  I should  not  have  been  if  my  affairs  were  in  the  hands 
of  a person  of  whom  I did  not  entertain  the  same  favorable 
opinion. — By  looking  to  the  letters  which,  from  time  to  time 
I have  written  you,  and  to  the  written  details  I give  you  of 
my  plans  when  you  first  entered  on  my  business,  you  will, 
without  any  additional  direction  to  them,  in  this  place,  see 
what  my  views  are,  and  can  be  at  no  loss  to  carry  them  into 


AND  MOUNT  YERNON. 


119 


effect  the  ensuing  year. — To  introduce  system,  and  a regular 
course  of  crops ; to  introduce  grass  where,  and  when  proper ; 
— to  make  meadows,  and  hedges ; — to  recover  my  fields  from 
the  exhausted,  and  gullied  state  in  which  many  of  them  are ; 
— to  improve  my  stock,  and  to  get  into  avray  of  establishing 
large  dayries,  and  turning  that  stock  to  profitable  uses  (which 
may  be  the  case  so  near  as  my  estate  lyes  to  Alexandria, 
George  Town,  and  the  Federal  City) — and  to  make  much 
Hay,  which  will  always  be  in  demand,  and  command  a good 
price ; are  much  more  desirable  objects  with  me  than  to  push 
the  best  of  my  fields,  out  of  their  regular  course,  with  a view 
to  encrease  the  next,  or  any  other  year’s  crops  of  grain. — I 
know’  full  well  that  by  picking  and  culling  the  fields  I should 
be  able,  for  a year  or  two.^  to  make  larger  crops  ot  grain  • but 
I know  also,  that  by  so  doing  I shall,  in  a few  years  make 
nothing,  and  find  my  land  ruined. — 

I am  very  sorry  to  hear  of  the  loss  of  your  daughter,  but 
as  it  was  an  event  long  expected,  you  must  have  been  pre- 
pared for  the  stroke. — The  country  every  where  that  I have 
been,  or  heard  from,  has  been  uncommonly  sickly  the  past 
summer,  and  to  the  present  moment. — The  ague  and  fever 
has  been  sorely  felt  where  it  \vas  never  known  to  be  before, 
together  with  other  complaints. — The  death  of  Paris  is  a loss, 
that  of  Jupiter  the  reverse.^ — 

You  have  not  informed  me  in  any  of  your  letters,  which 
have  come  to  hand,  whether  you  have  engaged  Pyne  or  any 
other  for  the  Mansion  house,  or  whether  M^Koy  continues 
another  year,  or  is  to  be  replaced  by  any  other. — I did  not 
expect  much  from  James  Donaldson  as  an  Overlooker  of  my 
Carpenters,  -when  I engaged  him  ; and  for  that  reason  observ’d 
to  you,  that  if  my  Nephew  (CoP  Will™  Washington  of  West- 


' The  colored  aristocracy  of  Mount  Vernon  had  grand  names  : Cyrus, 
(Vesar,  Hercules,  Pasclial,  Bristol,  Richmond,  Bishop,  Lee,  Charles  Wash- 
ington. Among  the  female  names  occur  some  unusual  ones — Siiiah,  Mima, 
etc. 


120 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


iiioreland)  should  have  engaged  the  man  I wrote  to  liim  about, 
to  keep  both  would  be  attended  with  no  disadvantage ; but 
I have  not  heard  or  received  a syllable  from  my  Nephew  in 
answer  to  my  letters — hence  I infer  they  never  got  to  his 
hands ; and  the  demand  for  workmen  at  the  federal  City 
is  such,  and  their  wages  consequently  so  high,  that  if  Don- 
aldson as  an  overlooker  should  prove  incompetent,  I know 
not  how,  or  where  you  will  get  supplied. — If  he  understands 
what  he  professes  to  have  been  bred  to,  and  is  sober  and 
industrious,  he  may  prove  a very  useful  man  to  me,  although 
he  is  unfit  to  have  the  care  of  my  Carpenters. — But  what 
have  you  done  with  him,  if  Greens  family  still  occupy  the 
house  ? — By  my  agreement  with  him,  he  is  entitled  to  the 
use  of  that  house,  and  Garden,  and  may  consider  it  as  a 
breach  of  contract  to  be  deprived  of  it. — What  then  is  to  be 
done  with  the  other  family. — I cannot  bear  the  thought  of 
adding  to  the  distress  I know  they  must  be  in,  by  turning 
them  a drift ; and  it  would  be  as  disagreeable  to  let  them 
come  into  that  part  of  the  Green  house  adjoining  the  Shoe- 
makers room  ; — their  habits  are  not  good ; — and  to  mix  them 
among  the  Negros  would  be  attended  with  many  evils  as  it 
respected  themselves  ; — and  no  good  as  it  respected  me. — ^It 
would  be  better  therefore  on  all  accounts  if  they  were  re- 
moved to  some  other  place,  even  if  [I]  was  to  pay  the  Bent ; 
provided  it  was  low — or  make  some  allowance  towards  it. — 
Donaldson  and  family  will  get  disgusted  by  living  among  the 
Negros,  if  he  is  still  in  the  Green  house. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  your  Fodder  was  got  in  good  time, 
and  that  there  was  a good  deal  of  it ; — also  that  your  Corn  is 
likely  to  yield  well  from  the  gathering  you  have  made  of 
it. — It  is  to  be  regretted  that  your  last  sown  wheat  looks  so 
indifferently, — especially  the  fallow  field  at  Dogue  run. — Get 
all  the  Buck  Wheat  out  of  the  Straw  as  soon  as  you  can,  and 
put  it  away  securely  ; — letting  me  know  the  quantity. — The 
Straw  will,  I presume,  make  good  litter. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


121 


I am  very  sorry  to  hear  that  the  fly  is  getting  into  the 
Wheat. — This  makes  it  necessary  to  get  it  out  of  the  straw  as 
quick  as  possible,  and  either  to  grind  it  into  flour — or  sell  it 
in  the  grain — as  soon  as  possible. — To  know  which  of  these  is 
most  for  my  benefit,  order  a hundred  bushels  of  neither  your 
hest  nor  worst  wheat  to  be  sent  to  the  Mill,  cleaned  as  it  would 
and  ought  to  be,  for  sale. — Let  this  hundred  bushels  be  sent 
to  the  Mill  and  manufactured;  then  see  whether  the  different 
articles  which  is  made  from  it,  at  the  Alexandria  prices,  with 
the  Bran  Ac*  justly  rated,  is  worth,  or  would  fetch  more  than 
the  unground  Wheat  at  the  same  Market. — If  it  does  not,  I 
encounter  all  the  waste  the  trouble  and  expence  of  the  Manu- 
factory to  a loss. — I have  requested  this  experiment  several 
times  to  be  made  by  your  predecessors  in  my  business,  but 
never  could  get  it  satisfactorily  made  ; and  have  strong  rea- 
sons for  believing  that  my  Wheat,  for  several  years  back, 
would  have  sold  for  more  than  the  flour  of  all  sorts,  with  the 
addition  of  the  bran,  shorts  and  talings. — The  fact,  with  re- 
spect to  the  last  crop,  you  may,  I conceive,  ascertain  with 
certainty,  by  having  recourse  to  the  Mill  books ; — these  will, 
01*  ought,  to  Shew,  all  the  Wheat  that  had  been  received, — and 
all  the  flour  and  other  articles  which  had  been  delivered. — 
Bating  then  the  different  sorts  of  flour  (sold  and  used)  at 
what  it  actually  fetched, — and  fixing  a proper  price  on  the 
Bran  and  shorts,  with  some  allowance  for  the  talings,  gives 
you  the  total  amount  of  the  Wheat  after  it  is  manufactured. 
— then  see  what  the  whole  quantity  of  Wheat  which  the  Mill 
had  received,  would  amount  to,  at  what  would  be  deemed  the 
curr*,  or  medium  price  of  Wheat  at  Alexandria  last  season  ; — 
this  would  give  you  the  aggregate  amount  in  both  cases,  and 
shew  the  difference  of  the  two,  upon  a large  scale. — 

Are  all  the  Cabbins,  as  well  as  the  Quarters  at  Union  farm, 
fixed  in  the  lane  opposite  to  the  Overseers  house?  I fear  the 
season  is  too  late  to  go  into  fresh  daubed  Cabbins. — 

I am  Your  friend  Ac*  G®  Wasuington. 


122 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


P.S. 

By  not  hearing  from  yon  yesterday  I presume  you  were  on 
the  Eastern  Sliore. 


XLIY. 

Philadelphia  16^^  Xov’"  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

By  the  Post  of  yesterday  I received  your  letter  of  the  11^^ 
inst*,  with  the  Beports  of  the  three  preceeding  weeks ; 
(except  those  of  the  Carpenters). — I did  not  write  to  you 
last  week,  not  having  heard  from  you  by  the  two  Posts 
before. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  your  Potatoes  and  Corn  are  likely 
to  turn  out  well,  and  that  the  Wheat  now  in  the  ground 
looks  promising. — The  last  Crop  of  that  article  according  to 
your  account  is  miserable  [in  quantity]  and  the  Buck  Wheat 
not  a great  [deal]  better. — Of  the  latter,  and  of  the  Potatoes 
[keep]  enough  for  Seed  for  next  year. — [It  is  miserable  for 
a farmer  to  be  obliged  [to  purchase  h]is  Seeds — to  exchange 
Seeds  may,  [in  some]  cases,  be  useful ; but  to  buy  them 
[unless  in]  the  first  year  is  disreputable. — 

Let  me  know  from  time  to  time,  what  prices  Wheat  and 
fiour  are  at,  in  Alexandria — 12/6  for  the  first,  p^  Bush^ ; and 
£3  p’^  Bar^  for  the  latter,  are  the  value  of  them  in  this  City, 
at  present  [quotations] 

The  letter  from  Sally  [Green]  is  enclosed. — I have  no 
doubt  [she  is]  in  very  distressed  circumstances,  [but  am]  at  a 
loss  as  to  the  best  mode  of  affording  her  relief. — That  of 
going  to  Alexandria,  is,  I fear,  a bad  plan  ; altho’,  if  she  was 
able,  and  in  earnest,  to  take  in  washing  and  sowing  it  would 
be  the  best  stand  for  these. — What  she  means  by  keeping  a 
shop,  I am  at  a loss  to  understand ; — it  is  to  be  feared  her 
shop  w*^  be  no  more  than  a receptacle  for  stolen  produce, 
by  the  Xegros: — Examine  into  this  matter;  and  yon  may  aid 
her  in  any  thing  that  appears  to  you  feasable  to  the  amount 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


123 


of  twenty  pounds,  in  [the  way]  of  things,  or  on  credit ; but 
no  [thing]  in  money,  lest  it  should  be  [spent  in]  unessential 
things  which  [she  can  do  with]  out,  instead  of  being  applied 
[to  actual]  wants,  or  in  the  purchase  of  [such]  as  may  be 
turned  to  advantage.  [If  she]  goes  to  town  you  may  give 
her  a ...  of  Wood — a little  flour — and  some  meat  at 
killing  time ; besides  what  is  usually  allowed  her  father. — If 
she  goes  there  her  eldest  son  may  derive  some  beneflt  from 
the  charity  school  which  is  established  there  at  my  ex- 
pence.— 

If  she  has  not  yet  decided  on  her  plan,  she  ought  to  do  it 
immediately  ; — or  at  any  rate,  James  Donaldson  ought  to  go 
into  the  house  she  is  in. — I am  sorry  he  did  not  do  it  at  flrst 
— that  he  might  have  been  kept  as  seperate,  and  as  distinct 
as  possible  from  the  Negros — who  want  no  encouragement  to 
mix  with,  and  become  too  familiar  (for  no  good  purposes) 
with  those  kind  of  people. — I have  often  said,  and  I again 
repeat,  that  if  you  can  get  such  a man  as  would,  in  all  points, 
be  a flt  superintendant  of  my  Carpenters,  I would  have  you 
employ  him  ; but  this  fltness  ought  to  be  ascertained — other- 
wise, either  from  [differ]  ence  of  wages,  or  some  other  cause, 
[his  presence]  might  discontent  the  man  you  [have]  without 
deriving  equivalent  advantages  from  another. — 

I do  not  know,  if  you  should  have  been  disappointed  by 
Pyne,  whether  the  loss  will  be  great,  for  the  more  I saw  of 
him,  the  less  I liked  him.  [He  seem]ed  to  be  more  of  a 
talker,  than  [a  worker]. 

I am  glad  to  hear  y[ou  are  suc]ceeding  in  your  fall  plow- 
ing — [I  hope  it]  will  be  pushed  vigorously,  at  all  times  that 
the  ground  is  in  a good  state  for  this  work. — And  I am  not 
less  pleased  to  find  you  are  cutting  up  the  fallen  timber. — I 
earnestly  recommend  a continuance  of  this  plan  ; either,  for 
Rails,  where  it  will  make  them,  or  for  fire  wood  ; whenever 
your  leizure  will  permit ; as  the  waste  which,  heretofore,  has 
been  committed,  all  over  my  land,  is  shameful. — 


124 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


What  number  of  good  [full-grown  hogs  will]  you  put  up, 
or  will  be  able  [to  sell]  this  fall,  for  Porkers? — [Those]  on 
liand  (with  a small  res[ervation)  may  be]  disposed  of,  as  it  is 
not  [in  the  line]  of  probability  that  myself  [or  any]  of  my 
family,  can  be  at  Mount  Yeriion  before  the  next  supply  will 
[be  ready]— and  if  the  culled  sheep,  and  other  [live]  stock 
cannot  be  sold,  they  had  better  (rather  than  run  the  hazard 
of  losing  them)  be  salted  for  next  harvest. — 

Mr.  Hawkins,  one  of  the  Senators  from  North  Cai’olina,' 
on  his  way  to  this  place,  left  at  Mr.  Lund  Washington’s  in 
order  to  be  sent  to  M^  Yernon,  sundry  cuttings  of  valuable 
Grape  vines  for  me. — The  letter  herewith  enclosed,  gives  an 
account  of  them  ; and  his  manner  of  treating  them. — Let  the 
Gardner  see  it ; — and  after  taking  such  acc^  of  them  as  are 
necessary,  return  the  letter  to  me  again. — 

You  proposed  when  I was  last  at  home,  to  cultivate  in 
Corn,  Rye,  or  something  else,  with  a view  of  cleansing  the 
ground,  that  part  of  the  pasture  at  the  Mansion  house  which 
lyes  above  the  hill,  adjoining  the  Wood,  North,  and  N°  W® 
of  the  clover  lot  by  the  Quarter. — To  this  I consented,  but 
did  not  direct  it,  nor  do  I now  direct  it,  leaving  it  to  your- 
self to  act  from  circumstances. — I shall  require  however,  if  it 
is  done,  that  a great  many  of  the  Trees  be  left  standing 
(without  regarding  the  injury  the  Crop  may  .sustain  by  it,  for 
that  is  only  a secondary  object). — These  may  be  single;  or 
partly  single  and  in  clumps;  or  all  clumps;  according  as  from 
their  present  standing  and  appearance,  it  should  be  thought 
tliey  would  answer  best. — If  clumps  should  be  prepared — let 
them  be  large  ones,  where  they  can  be  so ; not  less  than  from 


•Benjamin  Hawkins,  b.  in  Yates  Co.,  N.  C.,  1754,  was  Washington’s 
interpreter  in  intercourse  with  French  officers  ; senator  from  1789  to  1795, 
when  he  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  all  Indians  South  of  the  Ohio, 
which  office  he  held  until  his  death  (1816).  He  was  a graduate  of  Prince- 
ton, and  an  accomplished  writer,  as  is  shown  by  his  work  on  “ Indian 
Character.” 


AXD  MOUNT  VERNON. 


125 


50  to  100  feet  in  diameter. — Let  the  transplanted  clumps  be 
made  good  this  fall,  and  ensuing  spring. — 

I will  bring  to  your  view,  wdiat  I was  about  to  do  myself 
the  fall  before  last,  with  the  grounds  adjoining  to  what  has 
been  just  mentioned ; that  if  it  should  strike  you  favorably, 
you  may  carry  it  into  effect  (but  from  which  I was  then  di- 
verted by  the  desire  of  employing  the  Muddy  hole  gang  of 
hands  in  the  swamps  at  D.  [ogue]  Hun. — It  was  with  that 
gang,  to  clear  all  the  land  which  lyes  between  the  Alexandria 
road  and  the  pasture  fence,  from  the  white  gates  up  to  the 
little  old  field,  for  Corn ; for  that  Plantation  (Muddy  hole) : 
instead  of  tending  the  worn  out  fields  at  that  place ; but  to 
leave  the  Trees  standing  either  in  clumps,  or  singly,  as  they 
are  in  the  adjoining  part,  through  which  the  road  passes. — 
You  will  readily  perceive  that  I had  a threefold  object  in  this 
plan  ; — the  first  was,  to  open  that  ground  like  the  adjoining; 
for  ornament,  and  for  the  enlargement  of  the  pasture  ; — the 
2^^  was,  to  avoid  tending  the  worn  out  and  gullied  fields  at 
Muddy  hole  ; — and  the  3^^,  to  have  a stock  of  Mood  for  firing 
with  as  little  carting  as  possible. — I merely  mention  the  thing 
at  this  time,  that  you  may  think  of  it ; and  see  how  far  it  can 
be  made  part  of  the  other  project,  within  the  pasture  fence  ; — 
and  that,  if  it  should  be  ^lought  well  of,  the  field  which  other- 
wise w*^  come  into  corn  at  Muddy  hole  may  lye  over.  (Part  at 
least  of  the  ground  through  which  the  road  to  the  Mhite  gates 
pass,  that  has  been  cleared  would  also  require  cultivation  to 
destroy  the  sprouts,  grubs,  &c^  and  to  accomodate  it  better 
for  pasture  thereafter.) — I shall  not  enlarge  as  it  is  enough  to 
suggest  the  matter  for  consideration ; and  to  see  how  it  would 
comport  with,  or  militate  against,  the  general  plan  of  busi- 
ness.— I am  sorry  to  hear  that  your  people  still  continue  sickly 
— the  complaint  is  general,  and  in  many  places  mortal. — 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

(P  Washington. 


126 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XLY. 

Philadelphia  Xov^  19^^  1791. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Enclosed  I send  you  thirteen  hundred  dollars ; out  of  which 
I desire  you  will  discharge  and  take  in  my  bond,  with  a re- 
ceipt thereon  in  full,  from  Mr.  Lund  Washington. — The  letter 
to  him  is  left  open  for  your  perusal  and  government  in  this 
business. — The  accounts  therein  are,  for  anght  I know  to  the 
contrary,  correct ; but  if  any  errors  should  be  found  in  them, 
there  can  be  no  objection  to  the  correction  of  them. — When 
you  receive  the  bond  transmit  it  to  me. — 

Out  of  the  above  sum  you  will  also  pay  to  the  Trustees  of 
Alexandria  or  their  agent  or  Treasurer,  the  sum  of  fifty 
pounds  ; being  my  anual  donation  to  the  charity  school  at  the 
Academy  in  that  place — due  sometime  in  this  month. — And 
I request  moreover,  that  you  will  pay  my  annual  subscription 
of  ten  pounds  to  the  Pev*^  Mr.  Davis  (incumbent  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  in  Alexandria)  ^ — When  it  became  due  I am 
unable  to  inform  you  ; but  you  may  know  this  from  the  paper 
itself — or  you  may  do  so  from  Mr.  Herbert,^  who  interested 
himself  to  obtain  the  subscription. — 

I am  Your  friend  &c* 

Washington. 


^ The  Rev.  Dr.  Slaughter,  historiographer  of  the  diocese  of  Virginia, 
writes  me:  “The  Rev.  Thomas  Davis  was  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London 
for  Virginia  21  Sep.  1773,  and  ministered  in  Norfolk  and  elsewhere.  When 
he  went  to  England  for  ordination  he  carried  letters  from  John  Page  of 
Rose  well  and  John  Norton.  Page  says : ‘ I beg  to  introduce  to  you  Mr. 
Davis,  a candidate  for  orders  and  a late  Usher  of  our  College  (Wm.  and 
Mary).  I need  say  hut  little  of  him  as  I suppose  you  were  acquainted  with 
his  father,  and  make  no  doubt  he  will  carry  many  recommendations  to  you.’ 
Mr.  Davis  succeeded  Rev.  Bryan  (Lord)  Fairfax  in  Alexandria,  1792.  He 
officiated  at  Washington’s  funeral,  visited  Mrs.  Washington  during  her  ill- 
ness and  buried  her — so  that  it  is  to  be  inferred  he  had  the  respect  of  the 
family.  He  left  about  1806,  and  died  on  the  Eastern  Shore  (Va.)  ” 

2 William  Herbert,  who  long  occupied  the  Braddock  House  in  Alexandria, 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


127 


XLYI. 

Philadelphia  Xov"*  23*^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  16^^  with  the  reports — except  the  Car- 
penters, which  I have  been  without  for  several  weeks — came 
to  my  hands  yesterday. — 

As  I expected,  so  it  happened,  my  letters  to  CoP  Will“ 
Washington  of  Westmoreland,  did  not  reach  him  until  a few 
days  ago. — As  you  seem  to  be  of  the  same  opinion  w^^  I en- 
tertained at  first,  namely,  that  from  the  easy  and  simple  man- 
ners of  Donaldson,  he  w*^  not  be  a fit  overlooker  of  Xegros,  I 
have  again  written  to  my  Xephew  concerning  the  Carpenter 
in  his  neighbourhood ; and  put  the  letter  under  cover  to  you, 
open,  that  if  you  have  engaged  a person  for  this  business,  or 
have  one  in  contemplation  for  it  that  you  think  will  answer 
well,  you  may  accompany  it  by  a line  from  yourself  to  stop 
his  application — otherwise  let  it  go,  and  wait  the  result  of 
CoP  W ashington’s  answer,  wdiich  agreeably  to  my  request,  J 
expect  you  will  receive ; before  you  engage  any  other. — In 
case  you  should  get  any  one  in  the  place  of  Donaldson  as  an 
overlooker  of  the  Carpenters,  let  him,  Isaac  and  the  boy  Jem, 
be  kept  to  the  making  and  repairing  of  Carts  of  different  sorts, 
AVheels,  Plows,  Harrows,  Pakes,  Wheelbarrows,  and  all  kinds 
of  farming  irnpliments  ; — and  tell  him,  as  from  me,  that  I 
hope,  and  expect,  that  he  will  take  pains  to  instruct  both  Isaacs 
and  the  Boy  in  t\\Q princijples  of  the  work  ; that  I may  derive 
benifit  hereafter  from  his  instruction  of  them. — 

If  you  should  succeed  in  getting  an  Overlooker  for  the  out- 
doors Carpenters,  you  will  direct  the  execution  of  such  work 
as  appears  to  be  most  wanting. — but  whether  he  be  a married, 
or  a single  man,  he  must  not  occupy  the  rooms  in  the  store 


was  a distinguished  citizen  of  that  town,  where  his  grandsons  still  reside. 
One  of  his  daughters  married  Thomas  (Lord)  Fairfax. 


128 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


house ; — these,  while  yon  remain  in  what  is  called  the  Ser- 
vants Hall,  must  be  kept  for  Gentlemens  servants,  and  my 
own,  while  I am  on  a visit  to  Mount  Yernon. — When  you  re- 
move to  the  Ferry  (if  you  mean  to  do  so)  and  the  house  you 
are  now  in,  is  restored  to  its  former  use — a single  man  might, 
in  that  case,  occupy  the  rooms  in  the  store  house,  in  the  man- 
ner Mr.  Whitting  did  ; but  it  would  not  be  very  convenient 
for  a Married  Man  (especially  one  with  children)  to  be  there. — 
Speaking  of  Gentlemens  Serv^^  it  calls  to  my  mind,  that  in 
a letter  from  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington  to  Mrs.  Washington 
(her  Aunt)  she  mentions,  that  since  I left  Mount  Yernon  she 
has  given  out  four  doz“  and  eight  bottles  of  wine.^ — Whether 
they  are  used,  or  not,  she  does  not  say  ; — but  I am  led  by  it 
to  observe,  that  it  is  not  my  intention  that  it  should  be  given 
to  every  one  who  may  incline  to  make  a convenience  of  the 
house,  in  travelling ; or  who  may  be  induced  to  visit  it  from 
motives  of  curiosity. — There  are  but  three  descriptions  of 
people  to  whom  I think  it  ought  to  be  given : — first,  my 
jyarticular  and  intimate  acquaintance,  in  case  business  should 
call  them  there,  such  for  instance  as  Doct^  Craik.^ — 2*^^^  some 
of  the  most  respectable  foreigners  who  may,  perchance,  be  in 


* Appendix  H. 

^ The  following  notes  concerning  Dr.  James  Craik  are  mainly  derived 
from  Dr.  Philip  Slaughter’s  “Memoir  of  Col.  Joshua  Fry.”  Born  in 
Oebigland,  Scotland,  1730,  graduated  at  Edinburgh,  he  began  practice  in 
the  W.  Indies,  whence  he  came  to  Virginia.  Commissioned  as  Surgeon  in 
the  regiment  of  Col.  Fry,  Washington’s  senior  in  command,  they  together 
buried  their  chief  (31  May  1754)  near  Fort  Cumberland,  when  Washington 
carved  the  inscription  said  to  be  still  legible:  “ Under  this  oak  lies  the  body 
of  the  good,  the  just,  and  the  noble  Fry.”  Washington  being  now  in  com- 
mand, Dr.  Craik  remained  attached  to  him  ; he  was  Surgeon-General  of  the 
Continental  Army,  and  after  the  Revolution  resided  at  Alexandria.  In  1760 
he  married  Marianne  Ewell,  whose  mother,  Sarah  Conway,  was  niece  of 
Washington’s  mother.  Dr.  Ewell,  late  president  of  William  and  Mary  Col- 
lege, is  a nephew  of  Dr.  Craik’s  wife.  Dr.  Craik  himself  had  been  a pro- 
fessor in  that  college  ; and  when  Washington  entered  on  the  presidency  he 
entrusted  his  two  young  nephews  (Lawrence  and  George  Steptoe,  sons  of 
Samuel  Washington)  to  his  old  friend’s  home  and  teaching.  A son  of  Dr. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


129 


Alexandria  or  the  federal  city ; and  be  either  brought  down, 
or  introduced  by  letter,  from  some  of  my  particular  acquaint- 
ance as  before  mentioned  ; — or  thirdly,  to  persons  of  some 
distinction  (such  as  members  of  Congress  &c^)  who  may  be 
travelling  through  the  Country  from  Xorth  to  South,  or  from 
south  to  IN^orth ; — to  the  first  of  which,  I should  not  fail  to 
give  letters,  where  I conceive  them  entitled. — Unless  some 
caution  of  this  sort  governs,  I should  he  run  to  an  expence  as 
improper,  as  it  would  be  considerable; — for  the  duty  upon 
Madeira  wine  makes  it  one  of  the  most  expensive  liquors  that 
is  now  used  ; — while  my  stock  of  it  is  small — and  old  wine  (of 
which  that  is)  is  not  to  be  had  upon  any  terms : for  which 
reason,  and  for  the  limited  purposes  already  mentioned,  I had 
rather  you  would  provide  Claret,  or  other  wine  on  which  the 
duty  is  not  so  high,  than  to  use  my  Madeira ; unless  it  be  on 
very  extraordinary  occasions. — 

I have  no  objection  to  any  sober,^or  orderly  person’s  grati- 
fying their  curiosity  in  viewing  the  buildings,  Gardens  &c‘ 
about  Mount  Yernon  ; — but  it  is  only  to  such  persons  as  I 
have  described,  that  I ought  to  be  run  to  any  expence  on  ac- 
count of  these  visits  of  curiosity,  beyond  common  civility  and 
hospitality. — ]S"o  gentleman  who  has  a proper  respect  for  his 
own  character  (except  rela4:ions  and  intimates)  would  use  the 
house  in  my  absence  for  the  sake  of  conveniency  (as  it  is  far 
removed  from  the  public  roads)  unless  invited  to  do  so  by 
me  or  some  friend ; — nor  do  I suppose  any  of  this  description 
would  go  there  without  a personal,  or  written  introduction. — 
I have  been  thus  particular,  that  you  may  have  a full  view 
of  my  ideas  on  this  subject,  and  conform  to  them ; — and 
because  the  knowledge  I have  of  my  servants  is  such,  as 
to  believe,  that  if  opportunities  are  given  them,  they  will 
take  off  two  glasses  of  wine  for  every  one  that  is  drank  by 


Craik  (George  Washington)  was  a private  Secretary  of  the  president  in  iiis 
second  term.  Dr.  Craik  was  with  Washington  at  his  death,  his  own  death 
occurring  6 Feb.  1814  at  Vaucluse,  Fairfax. 


GEORGE  WASHTS’GTOX 


i3»:» 

sncii  visitors,  and  tell  yon  they  were  used  by  them : without 
such  a watch  over  them  as  the  other  business  vou  are  em- 
ployed in.  would  not  allow  you  to  bestow. — 

I observe  what  you  say  respecting  the  Hosrs  for  Porke,  and 
have  to  add  that  so  many  as  are  necessary  to  furnish  all  those 
who,  by  your  agreements,  are  entitled  to  be  served  with 
Porke  : with  a moderate  allowance  for  Bacon  for  the  use  of 
the  Mansion  house,  should  be  put  up : whether  they  be  old 
or  young : — and  I wish  pains  may  be  taken  to  cure  the  latter, 
as  the  most  of  that  which  was  sent  to  this  place  was  spoiled. 
— The  principal  reason  why  I requested  that  none  but  full 
grown  Hogs  might  be  put  up  this  fall,  was,  that  my  stock  of 
them  another  year  might  be  the  better  for  it : — but  as  I do 
not  mean  to  buy  porke,  the  necessity  of  breaking  in  upon  the 
young  hogs  is  unavoidable. — * 

It  was  an  omission  of  M'Koy  not  to  measure  his  Potatoes 
when,  and  as  they  were  taken  from  the  fields  ; and  it  is  the 
more  to  be  regretted,  as  I wanted  to  know  the  quantity  whicli 
grew  in  each  lot,  and  in  a j^arti<yidar  manner,  the  quantity 
that  grew  among  the  Com  at  that  place  : that  I might  see 
and  compare  the  Crop  of  Com  and  the  Crop  of  Potatoes 
together. — But  it  would  seem  as  if  my  blundering  Overseers 
would  forever  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  ascertain  facts  from 
the  accuracy  of  experiments. — Make  your  estimate  (as  I 
observed  in  my  last)  of  the  quantity  of  Potatoes  required 
for  seed  next  year,  allowing  for  waste  and  spoilage,  before 
you  use.  or  sell  any. — It  being  my  wish  that  many  sh^  be 
: ’lanted. — 

In  makings  the  calculation  whether  it  is  better  to  sell 
Mheat  in  grain,  or  in  fiour,  it  will  be  necessary  to  learn  pre- 
viouslv  whether  the  first  is  sold  bv  measure  or  bv  the  weight 

m • m ^ 

at  Alexandria — for  it  6<P  is  called  a bushel,  and  the  wheat 
weighs  only  55^  the  diSerence  will  be  very  great  when  a 100 


' Appendix  J. 


AXD  MOU^T'  VERXOX. 


131 


busli^  bv  measure  is  reduced  to  the  bushels  it  will  Yield  bv 
weight  at  60®*. 

You  have  never  informed  me  what  precise  measures  have 
been  taken  with  respect  to  the  trespasses  on  my  land  on  four 
mile  run — either  of  what  has  passed,  or  for  prevention. — I 
wish  you  would  see  Mr.  Minor  and  converse  with  him  on  this 
subject ; and  act  according  to  circumstances. — If  it  be  neces- 
sary to  survey  the  land  in  order  to  ascertain  the  tresp»asses. 
and  the  boundaries,  let  it  be  done  by  some  skilful  person. — 
The  Papers  I left  with  you — The  wood  is  the  most  valuable 
part  of  the  tract. — 

You  did  very  right  in  putting  the  amount  of  CoP  Lyles 
bond  into  the  bank  of  Alexandria. — Let  me  know  the  precise 
amount  thereof. — as  also  of  what  you  deposited  there  before, 
that  I may  debit  the  Bank  for  it. — M ith  this  letter,  you  will 
receive  another,  enclosing  money  to  discharge  my  bond  to 
Mr.  Lund  W ashington  ; my  donation  to  the  charity  school  in 
Alexandria ; and  subscription  towards  the  Salary  of  Mr. 
Davis : which  I desire  may  be  done  without  delay. — 

I wish  you  well  and  remain 

Your  friend 

G®  TT  ashtxotox. 


-XLVn. 

Philadelphia  Xov.  30^  1794. 

Mp„  Pearcx, 

As  the  experiment  of  grinding  a hundred  bushels  of  Wheat 
into  flour,  is  found  more  profitable  than  to  sell  the  like  quan- 
tity in  grain ; — I would  have  you  proceed  in  the  manufactury 
of  what  little  I have  made. — and  I desire  the  particulars  of 
the  experiment  may  be  sent  to  me. — and  the  Miller  must  be 
careful  that  he  keeps  up  to  it. — or  I may  be  deceived  there- 
by.— 

Caution  Sally  Green  against  dealing  with  my  ne£nx*>  after 
she  is  fl.xed  in  Alexandria. — If  she  deals  with  them  ai  aU  >he 


132 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


will  be  unable  to  distinguish  between  stolen,  or  not  stolen 
things ; — and  if  her  conduct  should  lay  her  open  to  suspicion, 
she  need  expect  no  further  countenance  or  support  from  me. 

What  demands  the  Mill  swamp  may  have  upon  your 
labourers  for  the  next  year  I do  not  know  independant  of 
that,  I should  think  the  Mansion  house  and  Muddy  hole 
gangs,  with  such  force  as  you  might  draw  from  the  other 
farms,  would  not  fall  much  short  of  clearing  up  the  skirt  of 
woods  mentioned  in  my  former  letter  ; and  if  well  grubbed, 
and  thoroughly  broke  up,  it  would  be  infinitely  better  for 
Corn  than  6 at  Muddy  hole,  which  is  extremely  poor  and 
much  worn. — However,  as  I observed  in  my  former  letter,  I 
leave  the  matter  to  your  own  judgm^;  but  desire,  (not  only 
for  the  sake  of  the  Corn  which  will  go  into  the  ground,  but 
for  the  pasture  afterwards,  and  for  prevention  of  sprouts 
choking  it)  that  every  thing  may  be  grubbed  that  can  be 
grubbed  ; although  it  will  require  more  time  to  clear  the 
land  in  the  first  instance. — And  as  it  will  look  as  well  to  be 
cleared  in  clumps  (letting  these  clumps  be,  some  of  them 
large,  and  some  small)  I would  have  it  done  so ; as  the  corn 
will  be  much  better  than  if  growing  among  single  trees,  as 
was  the  case  in  the  In  closure  by  the  white  gate. — This  inclo- 
sure might  be  cleaned  and  brought  into  Corn  also. — 

As  soon  as  your  Corn  is  all  gathered  and  measured,  let  me 
have  the  account  of  it  in  one  view — naming  the  farms  and 
fields  in  which  it  grew  ; — Do  the  same  by  the  other  crops ; 
and  I wish  to  know,  as  nearly  as  possible,  if  M^^Koys  bludering 
will  not  suffer  it  to  be  done  accurately,  the  quantity  of  Pota- 
toes that  grew  in  4 at  Dogue  Pun. 

Have  you  fixed  nothing  yet  with  Pyne,  nor  with  any  other 
for  the  Mansion  House  ? — The  person  living  there,  if  you 
remove  to  the  ferry,  ought  to  be  a careful  and  trust  worthy 
character. — 

You  speak  of  stuff  for  sheds,  but  do  not  say  where. — I 
wanted  sheds  on  the  foundations  which  were  laid  of  brick,  at 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


133 


Doge  run,  to  be  erected  for  the  work  horses,  oxen,  cfec*" — the 
Corn  houses  making  one  of  the  ends  to  them. — My  plan  was 
fully  explained  to  Green,  but  whether  Isaac  or  Tom  Davis 
understood  it,  or  not,  I am  unable  to  say. — They  were  to  be 
half  roofs,  open  in  the  front  so  high  as  to  admit  horses  &c^ 
freely  into  them  without  danger  of  rubbing  their  heads  or 
backs. — above  that  to  be  boarded. — 

I will  get  four  or  five  bushels  of  clover  seed  and  send  it  to 
you  in  time  and  shall  depend  upon  your  having  enough  of  all 
other  sorts. — 

I am  your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

P.S. 

I hope  you  received  my  last  letter,  with  the  1300  dollars 
safe. 


XLYIII. 

Philadelphia  Dec^  7^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  30^^  ult°,  with  the  weekly  reports,  came 
safely  to  hand. 

By  mistake,  the  sum  of  £300  was  omitted  in  the  charges 
against  my  bond,  to  Mr.  Lund  Washington;  as  you  have 
discovered  in  the  above  letter. — By  my  mode  of  settling  the 
bonded  account,  he  will  be  £7.  10.  8 in  my  debt — and  by  the 
mode  he  proposes,  I shall  be  £51.  12.  11.  in  his  debt. — 
Which  of  these  is  the  mode  by  which  a Court  of  Law,  or 
Equity,  would  settle  it,  I neither  know,  nor  shall  try  ; all 
that  I can  say  on  the  subject,  I have  already  said  in  my 
letter  to  him — viz — that  Mr.  John  Mercer  * settled  my  ac(4 
with  his  father’s  and  Brothers  Estate  by  charging  me 
interest  on  all  his  payments;  and  when  I objected  thereto, 
he  said  it  was  the  method  by  which  the  Chanceller  in  Vir- 


’ Son  of  John  Mercer  of  Marlborough,  of  Stafford  Co.,  Va.,  first  editor  of 
Virginia  Laws. 


134 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


giiiia  settled  matters  of  a like  nature  ; which  was  confirmed 
by  Mr.  Randolph,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  practice 
of  that  Court  \ — However,  as  I am  determined  to  have  no 
dispute  on  the  subject,  Mr.  Washington  may  settle  it  by 
which  account  he  pleases,  (both  are  enclosed,)  or  by  striking 
a medium  between  the  two  methods,  as  shall  be  most 
agreeable  to  his  own  ideas  of  justice. — Take  up  my  bond, 
and  after  tareing  my  name  from  it,  send  it  to  me;— Let 
all  the  accounts  between  him  and  me  be  finally  closed — and 
unless  there  is  an  absolute  occasion  for  it,  do  not  run  me 
to  the  expence  of  smiths  w^ork  there,  or  elsewhere,  in 
future. — 

After  you  have  discharged  this  account — and  such  others 
as  are  known  to  be  due,  from  me,  place  the  surplus  of  the 
money  in  the  bank  of  Alexandria,  and  give  me  the  amount 
of  the  sum. — But  on  second  thoughts,  there  will  be  your  own 
wages — the  wages  of  the  Overseers — &c*  which  will  be  due 
in  a very  little  time. — Let  all  be  paid — for  I never  like  to  be 
in  debt  to  any  one — or  have  any  money  in  my  possession 
that  another  has  a right  to  call  for. — You  had  better  there- 
fore pay  all  these  off — detain  what  is  due  to  yourself — and 
not  close,  or  transmit  your  accounts  until  these  are  done,  and 
the  year  is  ended,  that  your  next,  and  every  account  may 
commence  with  the  new-year. — 

In  my  last,  I desired  that  my  Wheat  might  all  be  manu- 
factured and  held  in  readiness  for  the  first  good  market  that 
shall  offer,  of  which  keep  me  advised. — The  price  of  Super- 
fine flour  at  this  place  is  65/  p^  Bai-^  and  that  of  fine  62/  and 
62/6 — Wheat  from  9/6  to  12/6  according  to  quality. — 

As  your  crop  of  fodder  this  year  has  been  great,  and  got  in 
good  season — and  much  more  grass  than  usual  cut,  I flatter 


^ Edmund  Randolph,  at  this  date  Secretary  of  State,  had  been  Wash- 
ington’s legal  adviser  for  many  years  before  and  after  his  appointment 
as  the  first  Attorney  General  of  the  United  States.  (Appendix  F,  3d  letter, 
and  Appendix  H.) 


AXD  MOUNT  VERNON. 


135 


myself  yon  will  have  a good  deal  of  hay  for  sale. — Be  this, 
however,  as  it  may,  do  not  sell  close  until  you  are  able  to  see 
your  way  through  the  winter  clearly. — I wish  that  my  horses, 
and  stock  of  every  kind  should  be  fed  with  judicious  plenty 
and  oeconomy  ; but  without  the  least  profusion  or  waste. — 
And  be  particularly  attentive  whilst  you  are  feeding  away 
the  Potatoes  to  reserve  an  ample  stock  of  them  for  seed ; — as 
also  of  Turnips. — If  there  came  no  more  than  600  bushels  of 
Potatoes  from  the  field  4 and  the  lots,  at  Dogue  run,  the 
crop  must  have  been  a very  indifferent  one  at  that  place ; — 
but  I was  more  anxious  to  know  how  many  bushels  grew  in 
the  field  4 that  I might  compare  it  with  the  yield  of  the 
same  field  in  Corn. — 

I think  it  would  be  no  unsatisfactory  experiment  to  fat  one 
bullock  altQgether  with  Potatoes ; — another,  altogether  with 
Indian  meal; — and  a third  with  a mixture  of  both: — keeping 
an  exact  account  of  the  time  they  are  fatting,  and  what  is 
eaten  of  each,  and  of  hay,  by  the  different  steers ; that  a 
judgment  may  be  formed  of  the  best,  and  least  expensive 
mode  of  stall  feeding  beef  for  market,  or  for  my  own  use. — 

You  will  recollect,  that  when  5 comes  into  tillage 
(which  I believe  it  is  to  do  in  course,  next  year)  that  the 
Woods  within  the  fence  is  to  be  cleared  up,  and  prepared 
also,  for  Corn,  in  order  to  supply  the  place  of  the  two  lots  by 
the  Barn,  and  the  barn  yard  itself,  w’hich  were  taken  from 
that  field. — 

I intended  that  the  sheds  at  that  farm,  which  were 
intended  to  be  erected  on  the  brick  foundations  adjoining  the 
two  Corn  houses,  should  be  shingled  with  Cyprus,  and  men- 
tion it  now,  that  it  may  not  be  misunderst"^  when  the  work  is 
gone  about. — 

As  the  wood  on  my  four  mile  run  tract,  is  the  principal 
value  of  it,  I would  not  have  you  delay  enquiring  into  the 
nature  of  the  tresspasses  ; — nor  in  punishing  of  those  who  are 
guilty  of  them,  if  the  proofs  are  clear. 


136 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


How  does  the  new  race  at  the  Mill  progress  ? — and  when 
do  you  conceive  it  will  be  fit  for  nse  ? — 

How  does  James  Donaldson  conduct  himself? — Does  he 
appear  to  understand  well  those  kinds  of  work  which  he  pro- 
fesses to  have  been  particularly  bred  to  ? — And  has  he  moved 
into  the  house  below  the  hill  ? — caution  him  against  familiar- 
ities with  the  ^Tegros. 

I perceive  by  your  last  letter  that  you  have  moved  your 
family  to  the  ferry,  but  have  left  a bed  for  yourself  in  the 
end  of  the  Store. — If  you  had  liked  it  better  it  would  have 
been  quite  agreeable  to  me  that  you  should  have  retained  a 
room  in  the  house,  the  one  in  which  I believe  you  were  ac- 
customed to  lodge — but  do  in  this  matter  as  is  most  agreeable 
to  yourself. — 

What  was  expressed  in  a former  letter  respecting  the  man- 
ner of  treating  visitors  to  Mount  Vernon,  was  laid  down  as  a 
general  rule ; but  persons  not  always  recommended,  or  intro- 
duced in  the  manner  I described  in  that  letter,  may  go  there, 
who  are  entitled  to  equal  civilities ; and  in  such  cases  you 
must  be  governed  by  your  own  judgment ; — -and  in  this  I 
have  so  much  confidence  as  to  rely  on  it ; being  well  con- 
vinced that  your  regard  for  propriety  will  not  suffer  any  mis- 
application of  the  means  that  may  be  committed  to  your  care, 
— and  as  far  as  it  is  practicable,  that  you  will  not  suffer  the 
Servants  to  misapply  them. — Therefore,  for  such  occasions, 
and  for  the  use  of  the  sick,  I desire  you  will  lay  in  a box  of 
claret,  and  some  lisbon,  or  Tenerif  wine,  that  my  Madeii’a 
may  be  reserved,  as  it  is  old,  and  not  easy  to  be  replaced,  for 
my  own  use  when  I get  home. — I remain  your 
friend  and  well  wisher 

Washington. 


AST)  MOUNT  VERNON. 


137 


XLIX. 

Philadelphia  Dec’'  14*^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  7^^  inst*,  enclosing  the  reports  of  the  pre- 
ceeding  week,  came  duly  to  hand.  — 

I approve  your  idea  of  clearing  up  the  wood  between  the 
fence  and  the  road,  and  letting  it  lay  over  to  another  year ; — 
but  quere,  would  it  not  be  better,  instead  of  cleaning  the 
ground  thoroughly^  and  exposing  the  earth  to  the  rays  of  the 
summers  sun,  to  have  it  well  grubbed,  and  lye  with  all  the 
brush  on  it  until  the  proper  period  arrives  for  breaking  it  up 
for  Corn  ? — In  many  places,  this  is  a universal  practice and 
in  the  opinion  of  some  (especially  in  the  Xorthern  and  East- 
ern States)  an  indispensable  one. — They  have  two  ways  of 
doing  this. — The  one  is,  by  letting  the  brush  lye  on  the 
ground  until  the  leaves,  and  small  twigs  have  fallen,  and  are 
beginning  to  rot ; which,  when  plowed  in,  occasions  putre- 
faction and  fermentation,  and  of  course  more  product,  after 
these  have  happened. — The  other  is,  to  let  the  brush  lye  (not 
in  heaps,  by  piling  it  up,  but  as  it  is  cut  off)  until  the  Spring, 
— and  then  set  fire  to  i^ ; which  spreading  over  the  whole 
surface,  equally,  warms  the  earth,  while  the  ashes  serve  as  a 
manure. — w^'^  of  these  is  best,  or  whether  either  of  them  are 
better  than  to  expose  the  soil  to  the  Sun  (as  it  is  of  a cold  and 
sour  nature)  deserves  consideration. — At  any  rate  I agree  with 
you  in  opinion,  that  it  is  best,  as  you  have  already  plowed  up 
X°  6 at  Muddy  hole,  not  to  tend  the  ground  (now  in  wood, 
and  of  we  are  speaking)  in  Corn  next  year  — My  wish, 
as  I mentioned  in  a former  letter,  is,  that  when  the  ground  is 
cleared,  every  thing  that  can  be  taken  up  by  the  Hoots  may 
be  grubbed  ; — for  though  more  time  will  be  required  to  do 
this — yet,  in  the  end,  labour  will  be  saved  by  it ; as  to  lay 
the  grubs  all  one  way,  will  also  do. — 


138 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I am  very  willing  that  you  sh*^  tend  the  Number  of  Corn 
holes  at  the  Mansion  house  which  you  propose,  and  with  the 
force  belonging  to  that  place ; but  do  you  not  mean  to  com- 
prehend the  ground  between  the  Orchard  and  outer  fence,  as 
well  as  the  Orchard  itself  ? — the  first  is  necessary  in  order  to 
clean,  and  get  the  ground  in  order ; as  bushes  and  shrubs  are 
spreading  over  it. — But  where,  and  in  what  manner  do  you 
mean  to  have  the  communication  between  the  Stables  and  the 
pasture  below  the  Hill  ? — The  most  natural  one,  at  least  the 
one  most  out  of  sight,  would  be  by  a lane  around  the  clover 
lot,  by  the  Quarters  back  side. — The  fence  to  inclose  that 
field,  for  Corn,  ought  not  to  appear  in  view  of  the  house ; and 
for  that  reason  sh^  discend  the  hill  (far  enough  to  effect  this 
purpose)  that  goes  from  the  lot  where  the  Potatoes  grew  last 
year  to  where  the  old  cabbins  stood. — 

I likewise  think  with  you  that  the  field  between  the 
Meadows  and  Mill  would  hardly  pay  the  cost  of  cultivation 
until  all  the  woods  which  are  therein  is  cleared  up  ; and 
therefore  have  no  objection  to  letting  it  remain  awhile  longer: 
— but  I cannot  consent,  in  order  to  effect  this,  to  be  tending 
the  same  fields  over  and  over  again ; because  they  may  hap- 
pen, at  this  moment,  to  be  in  some  what  better  condition. — 
This  would  be  continuing  a practice  which  has  been  the  de- 
struction of  my  land  hitherto,  and  which  my  great  aim  and 
endeavor  is  to  avoid. — By  the  last  report  from  Union  farm  I 
perceive  you  are  plowing  in  N°  6,  but  for  what  purpose  I can- 
not conceive,  as  I have  not  recollection  enough  of  my  plan  of 
rotine  to  decide  whether  it  is  agreeable  thereto — but  know 
that  it  was  in  small  grain  last  year  and  in  Corn  the  year  be- 
fore and  parts  of  it  extremely  poor. — Nor  do  I at  this  moment 
call  to  mind.  What  field,  at  that  farm,  goes  into  Corn  next 
year ; if  it  be  N®  4,  as  part  of  it,  according  to  both  our  ideas 
had  better  lay  longer  untilled,  I would  ask  whether  the  diffi- 
ciency  might  not  be  made  up  for  the  hands  thereof  by  tend- 
ing the  Inclosure  between  the  white  gates  and  the  gate  in  the 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


139 


hollow  ? — Good  part  of  that  In  closure,  if  the  trees  were 
trimmed  up,  and  in  some  places  thinned,  would  bring  (for  it 
has  brought)  good  corn. 

I hope,  and  wish,  Allison  may  turn  out  well. — I know  no- 
thing of  the  one  you  have  engaged — but  it  is  a family  of  very 
little  respectability,  and  closely  connected  with  a set  of  people 
about  my  Mill — the  Pools  particularly — than  whom  I believe, 
a more  worthless  set  are  no  where  to  be  found. — It  was  this 
Allison  too,  if  I mistake  not,  with  whom  Crow  spent,  or 
rather  mispent  much  of  his  time. 

I remember  well  your  speaking  to  me  concerning  the  erect- 
ing sheds  for  the  Cattle  by  the  new  barn  at  Union  farm  and 
my  consent  thereto — nor  do  I object  to  them  now — On  the 
contrary  am  much  pleased  that  you  are  extending  them  to  all 
the  farms — but  desire  that  these  may  not  prevent  the  erection 
of  those  I had  contemplated  by  the  Barn  at  Dogue  run  for 
the  work  horses  and  Cattle,  so  soon  as  -y®  Carpenters  are  en- 
abled to  build  them. — 

I perceive  you  are  gathering  thorn  berries,  with  which  I 
am  pleased  ; but  to  turn  them  to  account  they  must  lye  buried 
a year  before  they  are  sown — I presume  however,  you  have 
informed  yourself  of  all  this. — 

Is  it  possible  that  the  Mheat  you  send  to  Mill  should  only 
weigh  48J  and  49  p*"  B^  ? — the  Millers  report  says  this. — 

Let  me  have  the  dates  of  the  deposits  of  the  money  which 
you  placed  in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria they  are  not  men- 
tioned in  the  Mem“  wdiich  came  in  your  last  letter. — 

Is  Oneil  still  quarrying  stone  at  Mount  Yernon  ? — What 
has  he  raised  and  what  has  become  of  it. — 

I remain — Your  friend  Ac*^ 

Washington. 


140 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


L. 

Philadelphia  Dec''  21®^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  14^^  instant  with  the  papers  and  reports, 
which  were  enclosed  therewith,  came  safe  to  hand. — 

The  whole  amount  of  the  Corn  Crop  I perceive  is,  1639 
barrels. — I perceive  also,  by  the  reports  of  the  last  week,  and 
I believe  it  has  been  as  much  for  several  Weeks  preceeding, 
your  weekly  consumption  of  this  article  is  22  barrels  to  the 
Stock,  and  about  14  to  the  Negros  ; amounting  together  to 
36  bari-^  which  multiplied  by  52,  the  number  of  weeks  in  a 
year  makes  1872  ; and  is  233  barP®  more  than  is  made. — How 
far  this  extraordinary  consumption  has  been  occasioned  by 
the  Hogs  which  have  been  fatting,  and  how  far  it  is  capable 
of  reduction,  it  is  more  than  I am  able  at  this  distance,  to 
determine. — It  w*^,  if  continued,  be  using  considerably  more 
than  ever  was  expended  on  the  Estate  ; — for  w^hich  reason,  as 
I observed  in  one  of  my  late  letters  to  you,  at  the  same  time 
that  I wish  nothing  to  be  starved  thereon,  I would  have  the 
Corn — and  indeed  every  thing  else — administered  with  the  ut- 
most oeconomy — for  hard  indeed  will  it  be,  upon  me,  if  I can 
make  no  more  from  my  estate — Wheat  alone,  excepted — than 
is  consumed  thereon  ; and  from  the  produce  of  that  article. 
Overseers  wages,  and  every  thing  that  is  bought,  is  to  be 
paid. — 

Can  you  form  any  judgment  from  the  Oats  that  have  been 
threshed,  what  will  be  the  amount  of  the  Crop  ? — I am  really 
mortified  at  not  knowing  the  quantity  of  Potatoes  that  grew  in 
N°  4 at  Dogue  run,  that  I might  have  compared  it  with  the 
yield  of  corn  in  the  same  field  ; and  thereby  decided  with  more 
certainty  and  precision  on  cultivating  of  both  in  that  manner.- — 
Do  you  suppose  that  that  field  w^^  have  yielded  more  Corn  if 
it  had  been  planted  in  the  usual  way — at  the  distance  of  5J 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


141 


or  6 feet  a part,  each  way  (which  would  have  given  about  the 
same  number  of  stalks  to  the  acre)  than  it  has  done  at  4 by  8. 
— And  does  the  growing  wheat  in  that  field,  look  as  well  as  it 
does  in  others,  equally  exhausted  ? — It  is  interesting  to  know 
this. — I wish  also  to  know  how  the  Wheat  and  Barley,  in 
general  looks  ? and  whether  this  mild  autumn  has  not  pushed 
it  too  forward  ? — I am  equally  desirous  of  knowing  how 
the  Clover  and  other  grass-seeds  which  were  sown  last 
spring  and  winter  look  at  this  time  ? — A finer  summer  and 
fall  never  could  have  happened  for  them,  than  we  have  had. 

The  price  of  flour  in  Alexandria  is  far  short  of  what  it  sells 
at  here, — ten  dollars  p^  barr^  being  the  price  of  it  in  this  city. 
— This  is  an  additional  inducement  to  hasten  the  manufactur- 
ing of  all  the  Wheat  I have  ; — for  as  the  freight  round  does 
not  exceed  half  a dollar,  I shall  not  be  disposed  to  receive 
there  much  less  than  the  difference  of  freight  and  insurance, 
between  the  two  places. — 

When  is  it  probable,  with  the  force  that  is  employed  on 
the  Mill  race,  it  will  be  completed  ; and  the  water  turned 
therein  ? — I ask  this  question  because  I do  not  recollect  the 
turn  in  it  which  you  speak  of ; nor  how  far,  nor  what  depth 
it  is,  from  thence  to  the  upper  end  of  it. — 

I am  of  opinion  th^t  you  had  better  give  the  Barn  at 
Muddy  hole  a thorough  repair — and  do  all  the  jobs  W'hich  are 
necessary,  before  the  Hew  Barn  at  Biver  farm  is  undertaken. 
—I  should  like  to  consult  you  on  the  spot,  before  any  plan  is 
formed  for  that ; — and  to  know  with  more  precision  than  I 
do  at  present,  the  advantages,  and  disadvantages  of  the  one  at 
D[ogue]  Bun. — As  the  brick  foundations  for  the  sheds  whicli 
I propose  to  have  built  at  the  last  mentioned  place,  were  laid 
last  October,  I am  surprized  to  hear  you  say  that  nothing 
can  be  done  towards  them  ’till  the  spring,  on  acc^  of  the 
Brick  work. — Let  the  old  Barn  at  Biver  farm  be  well  shored 
or  propped,  to  prevent  accidents  ; which  if  the  people  should 
happen  to  be  in  it  at  the  time,  might  prove  a direful  one. — 


142 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


The  field  X®  4.  at  that  place  will  require  much  aid  of 
manure ; — and  much  labour  to  recover  it  from  the  gullied 
state  in  which  it  was,  when  I viewed  it  last ; — and  no  work 
can  be  more  necessary  than  to  accomplish  these;  as  far  as  the 
nature  of  the  thing,  and  the  means  you  possess,  will  enable 
you  to  perform  them. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  so  good  an  account  of  Donaldson ; en- 
courage him  to  exercise  spirit  and  industry  ; — and  convince 
him  that  you  will  support  his  authority. — It  may  prompt 
him  to  exertion,  and  pride. — 

I perceive  by  the  Spinning  report  of  last  week,  that  each 
of  the  spinners  have  deducted  half  a pound  for  dirty  wool. — 
to  avoid  this  in  future  (for  if  left  to  themselves  they  will  soon 
deduct  a pound,  or  more)  it  would  be  best  to  let  them  receive 
none  but  clean  wool. — I do  not  recollect  what  allowance  of 
provision  the  Gardener  was  to  have  had  by  any  former  agree- 
ment, but  being  willing  to  allow  him  and  his  wife  what  they 
can  fairly- eat,  themselves,  without  misapplication — waste,  or 
giving  it  to  others — you  might  let  them  have  what  they  re- 
quire, under  those  restrictions ; — and  as  they  have  no  place 
out  of  the  Cellars  or  Meat  house,  to  keep  whatever  is  allowed 
them, — query — whether  it  would  not  be  better  to  give  it  out 
to  them  once  in  a while  (weighing  it  to  see  how  they  go  on) 
than  all  at  a time?  for  they  must  know,  positively,  that  no 
part  of  what  they  shall  receive  in  any  manner,  is,  by  saving, 
or  otherwise,  to  be  considered  as  a perquisite,  and  disposed  of 
as  such. — To  what -they  can  eat  they  are  welcome  ; but  none 
shall  be  sold  or  given  away  unless  perchance,  it  may  be,  now 
and  then  be,  to  a person  who  visits,  and  may  eat  with  them. 

I am  Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

P.S. 

I have  looked  in  vain  for  the  Xotes,  for  the  Tob°  I have  in 
Alexandria ; — If  I should  have  sent  them  to  you,  let  Peter 
carry  them  to  Mr.  Lear  of  George  Town  ; — or  you  might  send 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


143 


them  bj  the  Post — but  the  Postage  you,  not  he,  must  pay. — If 
you  have  them  not  enquire  of  CoP  Fitzgerald ' if  I did  not 
send  them  to  him. 

G.  W. 


LI. 

Philadelphia  Dec^  28^^  1794. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  duly  received  your  letter  of  the  21®*  inst*  with  its 
enclosures. — 

Your  idea  of  fencing  the  ground  at  the  Mansion  house  for 
Corn,  accords  exactly  with  mine  (as  far  as  I understand  it) 
except  in  joining  the  fence  which  comes  from  the  first  (outer 
gate)  in  the  hollow  to  the  corner  of  the  clover  lot,  north  of 
the  road,  by  the  deep  washed  gully. — My  idea  was  to  continue 
that  fence  on,  (making  a lane  there  between  it  and  the  clover 
lot)  until  it  descends  the  summit  of  the  hill  which  goes  down 
to  the  Creek — then  continue  along  that  hill,  just  out  of  view 
of  the  house,  and  walks  about  it,  by  the  old  Cabbins,  until  it 
should  strike  the  outer  fence,  which  runs  from  the  first  men- 
tioned gate  to  the  Cr^ — in  the  most  convenient  manner ; 
wfithout  enclosing  too  much  ground  ; — that  is,  without  enclos- 
ing more  than  is  cultivated. — If  the  first  course  of  fence  (as 
proposed  by  you  from  the  gate  in  the  hollow)  is  to  join  the 
corner  of  the  clover  lot  as  above,  how  can  there  be  a passage, 
as  usual,  into  the  lower  pasture,  when  the  fence  from  that 
corner  continues  round  the  several  Inclosures  quite  to  the 
Wharf  or  lime  kiln  ? — I conclude  from  hence  that  you  eithei- 
misunderstand  me,  or  I mistake  you,  because  in  this  instance 
our  ideas  are  not  to  be  reconciled. — 

I do  not  conceive  that  all  the  gr*^  comprehended  within  the 
line  of  fence  as  I have  described  it,  will  much,  if  any,  exceed 
35  or  40  acres : — but  of  this  I speak  by  guess,  never  having 


Formerly  on  Washington’s  staff,  and  sometime  Mayor  of  Alexandria. 


144 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


measured  it. — The  woods  without  the  pasture  fence  from  the 
Inclosure  by  the  white  gate,  up  to  the  little  old  field  on  the 
road  to  Alexandria,  I have  measured ; the  contents  of  which 
(as  you  may  see  by  the  enclosed  draught  of  it)  is  74  Acres; 
and  in  the  part  comprehended  from  the  turn  in  the  road,  at 
a kind  of  pond,  to  the  place  where  the  gate  used  to  stand  (on 
the  old  road  leading  into  the  house)  contains  38  acres. — Within 
the  white  gate  Inclosure  (as  the  fences  runs)  there  is,  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection  about  40  acres. — 

AYhether  to  put  this  last  mentioned  inclosure  into  Corn, 
with  the  Union  farm  hands,  or  that  part  of  N®  4,  at  that  farm, 
which  adjoins  the  lane  leading  up  to  the  Barn,  in  Oats — or 
whether  both  can  be  accomplished,  I shall  leave  to  your  own 
judgment,  with  this  caution — viz — never  to  undertake  more 
than  you  can  execute  well ; allowing  for  the  usual  chances  of 
weather. — I do  not  hesitate  to  confess,  that  reclaiming,  and 
laying  the  grounds  down  handsomely  to  grass,  and  in  woods 
thinned,  or  in  clumps,  about  the  Mansion  house  is  among  my 
first  objects  and  wishes. — If  corn  should  be  attempted  in  this 
enclosure,  the  trees  may,  in  places,  be  thinned  a little  ; but 
not  much  ; but  all  must  be  trimmed  up — Will  knows  how  to 
do  it. — The  grubs  should  be  compleately  eradicated  to  prevent 
the  ground  from  fouling  again  with  succours  &c^ — and  the 
hill  sides  (liable  to  wash  into  gullies)  ought  not  to  be  broke. — 
The  other  fields  at  this  (Union)  farm,  will  go  on  agreeably  to 
what  is  mentioned  in  y^  letter. 

And  I perceive  the  rotations  for  Dogue-run,  Muddy  hole 
and  River  farms  are  right  as  you  have  described  ; and  the 
two  first  may  go  on  agreeably  thereto. — One  reason  why 
Dogue-run  has  only  two  fields  for  cultivation  next  year  is,  on 
account  of  the  Mill  swamps  wdiich  it  has  been  my  anxious 
wish  to  get  in  grass — one  lot  after  another — and  in  complete 
order,  and  on  acc^of  grubs  in  K®  5. 

For  the  reason  you  have  mentioned,  that  is,  the  want  of  a 
partition  fence  between  fields  U®  4 and  5 at  River  farm  and 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


145 


the  difficulty  of  enclosing  the  whole  securely,  I consent  to 
your  managing  of  them  in  the  manner  you  proposed  next 
year ; and  letting  T lye  over  to  another  year, — and  that 
you  may  put  Oats  and  clover  in  the  ground  where  Buck 
wheat  grew  this  year,  agreeably  to  your  proposal. — 

In  clearing  the  AYood  in  5 at  Dogue-run,  leave  two  or 
three  clumps  of  trees  standing,  for  the  purpose  of  shade  and 
ornament. — and  by  attending  to  the  rotation  of  Crops  at  that 
place  you  will  perceive  that  4 is  to  be  sown  with  clover — 
let  this  be  done  at  a proper  time  this  winter,  or  early  in  the 
Spring,  on  light  snow. — 

Presuming  you  keep  all  my  letters,  that  you  may  have  re- 
course to  them  occasionally  for  the  opinions,  sentiments  and 
directions  they  convey  to  you,  I request  you  will  carefully 
peruse  two  long  letters  I wrote  to  you  at  your  first  going  to 
Mount  Yernon — Many  things  were  contained  therein  which 
require  attention  ; — and  some  others  wffiich  circumstances 
might  not,  at  that  time  permit  the  execution  of,  that  may  be 
attempted  now. — Many  matters  of  importance  were  suggested 
in  those  letters  and  to  refer  to  them  is  all  that  is  necessary  to 
bring  them  to  view,  and  into  operation  where  they  can  be,  as 
I do  not  know  that  any  change  respecting  them,  have  taken 
place  in  my  sentiments.--* 

In  bad  weather,  when  the  carpenters  are  unable  to  w'ork 
out,  let  them  prepare  frames,  shingles  &c^  for  putting  in 
more  dormant  windows  in  the  back  of  the  Stables  at  Mansion 
house,  and  two  in  the  front  part  of  them  ; — one  on  each  side 
the  pediment — in  the  centre  between  it  and  the  ends — for 
the  purpose  of  giving  air  to  the  Corn  and  hay  loft. 

The  weather  has  been  so  extremely  favorable  for  plough- 
ing that  I hope  this  part  of  your  business  is  in  great  forward- 
ness.— 

Tell  house  Frank  it  is  my  hope,  and  expectation  (now  there 
is  nothing  for  him  to  do  in  the  house)  that  his  whole  time 
will  not  be  spent  in  idleness. — He  might  find  enough  to  do 
10 


146 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


(under  the  Gardeners  directions)  in  the  gardens,  yards  and 
lawns — Nor  ought  Lucy  to  be  idle  when  she  is  not  Cooking 
and  doing  other  work  about  the  house. — In  spinning,  knitting 
and  such  like  things  her  leizure  hours  ought  to  be  employed. — 

I send  you  the  seed  of  the  cucumber  tree  * to  be  given  to 
the  Gardener,  whose  particular  care  of  it  I request — lie  may 
plant  them  in  the  little  garden  by  the  Salt  house  with  a label 
by  them. — Let  him  know  that  Mrs.  AVashington  sent  his  wife 
as  a present  the  things  contained  in  the  following  list,  by 
poor  Austin,  who  died  on  his  way  to  see  his  wife  and  family 
(at  Hartford,  on  Saturday  last)  of,  as  is  supposed  an  appo- 
plexy.  Mrs.  Stiles,  at  whose  Tavern  he  died  has  been  desired 
to  send  on  the  Mare,  he  road,  with  her  Mule  Colt ; and  all 
the  things  (clothes  included)  he  had  with  him,  with  a list 
thereof  to  Mount  Yernon,  where  I hope  they  have  arrived 
safe — amon"  these  was  the  bundle  containing  the  articles  for 
the  Gardeners  wife,  and  another  containing  two  pair  of 
Gloves  for  Mrs.  Stuart  — AYhat  other  things  besides  his 
clothes  might  be  in  the  Portmanteau  I know  not — probably 
he  might  be  carrying  things  home  for  his  wife. — I wrote  to 
you  by  him,  but  whether  the  letter  may  reach  you  or  not  is 
uncertain,  now. 

The  Gardener  complains  of  the  injury  which  the  shrubs 
(even  in  the  yard)  sustain  from  the  Deer.  I am  at  a loss 
therefore  in  determining  whether  to  give  up  the  Shrubs  or 
the  Deer ! — Is  there  no  way  of  frightning  them  from  these 
haunts  ? — 

I hope  every  possible  attention  has  been,  and  will  continue 
to  be  used  to  preserve  the  Porke  from  receiving  injury  from 
the  warm  weather. — 

The  enclosed  letter  from  old  Butler  shews  his  distress. — I 
think  you  were  perfectly  right  in  detaining  part  of  his  wages 
for  lost  time  ; — yet,  as  I can  better  afford  to  be  without  the 


Magnolia  Acuminata. 


® Wife  of  an  Overseer. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


147 


money  than  he  can,  you  may  pay  him  for  the  full  time  he 
was  at  Mount  Yernon  without  deduction. 

I will  endeavor  to  procure  and  send  you  some  honey  locust 
seed  as  I conceive  very  formidable  hedges  may  be  made  of 
them. — I find  Doll  at  the  Ferry  is  constantly  returned  sick — 
the  Overseer  at  that  place  ought  to  see  that  this  sickness  is 
not  pretence. — 

Flour  is  still  at  ten  dollars  a barrel  in  this  City  and  not 
likely  to  fall. — 

I am  your  friend  &c^ 

CD  AVasiiington. 


LII. 

Philadelphia  Jan^  4^*^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  28^^  of  last  month  with 
its  enclosures,  and  am  sorry  to  hear  you  were  unwell,  at  that 
time  ; — but  hope  you  have  quite  recovered. — the  warmth,  and 
changeability  of  the  weather  have  been  productive  of  violent 
colds  in  this  part  of  the  country. — 

Such  has  been  the  goodness  of  the  last  autumn,  and  mild- 
ness and  openess  of  the  winter,  hitherto,  that  I hope  all  the 
Oat  grounds  will  be  got  in  good  order  for  early  Seeding  of 
this  grain,  and  clover,  (where  the  latter  is  to  accompany  it ;) 
for  I have  always  found  that  late  sowed  oats,  or  clover,  unless 
followed  by  a dripping  spring,  and  in  other  respects  suitable 
weather,  rarely  come  to  much. — Dry  and  hot  weather  pre- 
vents the  growth  of  the  first,  and  entirely  destroys  the  latter, 
in  the  young  and  tender  stage  of  its  growth. — 

After  getting  out  as  many  of  your  hest  qualitied  Oats  for 
seed,  as  the  ground  by  the  rotations,  and  such  other  as  you 
shall  allot  for  them,  may  require, — take  care  that  the  residue 
is  not  used  so  near  as  to  disfurnish  my  horses  when  I may 
come  to  Mount  Yernon  ; which,  probably,  will  be  twice  be- 
tween the  adjournment  of  Congress  on  the  3^  of  March,  and 


US 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


their  meeting  again  in  autumn. — The  first  for  a flying  trip 
(as  soon  as  the  roads  will  permit  me  to  travel  after  the  ad- 
journment) with  not  more  than  five  horses; — the  other, 
during  the  hot  weather,  for  a longer  term  ; and  with  more 
than  double  that  number  of  horses;  as  Mrs.  Washington  and 
the  family  will  accompany  me. — 

What  chimney  has  fallen,  by  w®^  negro  children  were  hurt, 
and  how  are  they  now  ? — Under  real,  or  pretended  sickness,  I 
perceive  Doll,  at  the  Ferry,  rarely  does  any  work; — it  would 
be  well  to  place  her  in  a situation  where  her  ways  can  be  at- 
tended to. — If  she  is  really  unable  to  work,  none  will  be  re- 
quired of  her;  if  she  is  able,  deceitful  complaints,  of  which 
she  is  very  capable  of  making,  ought  not  to  avail  her. 

Pursue  the  rotation  of  Crops  at  Dogue-run  farm  rigidly,  in 
all  its  parts ; and  as  directed  in  all  the  fields. — However  I 
may  license  alterations,  and  departures  from  it  at  the  other 
farms,  I will  not  deviate  from  it  in  the  smallest  degree  at 
this. — Therefore,  clover  must  be  sown  on  the  Wheat  in  4 
(and  I hope  in  good  time,  and  the  sooner  the  better) — and 
Potatoes  is  to  be  planted  in  5,  along  with  the  Corn  ; in 
the  same  manner  they  were  last  year  in  4. — Let  the  rows 
of  each,  range  and  South  ; — that  is  as  the  fence  between 
N®  5 and  the  Wood  runs. — As  soon  as  the  clover  seed  comes 
to  this  market,  and  a vessel  is  up  for  Alexandria,  I will  ship 
you  five  bushels  of  it ; — If  more  be  wanting,  let  me  know  it, 
as  I am  not  disposed  to  stint  the  ground,  nor  to  prevent  your 
putting  it  into  any  lots  you  may  think  proper  ; — or  to  scatter 
seed  in  places  where  it  is  now  too  thin,  if  you  conceive  benefit 
will  result  therefrom. — 

A year  or  more  ago,  I had  made,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
this  City,  a large  and  strong  plough  for  turning  a broad  and 
deep  furrow. — This  plow  I sent  to  Mount  Yernon  to  be  em- 
ployed for  those  puiq)oses; — and  in  I^ovember  1793,  a drilled 
plow  which  had  been  sent  to  me  from  England,!  also  shipped 
at  this  place  for  Mount  Yernon. — Has  the  first  ever  been 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


149 


used  ? — and  to  what  useful  purposes  can  tlie  other  be  applied  ^ 
— I forgot  when  I was  at  Mount  Yernon  in  June  last,  to  en- 
quire for  either  of  these  plows,  and  the  latter  (that  is  the 
drilled  plow)  having  arrived  here,  and  was  reshipped  during 
the  prevalence  of  the  Yellow  fever  in  this  City,  I never  saw 
it. — consequently  know  not  for  what  uses  it  was  intended,  oi- 
ls fit  for. — 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 


LIIL 

Philadelphia  Jan^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  4^^  insP,  wdth  the  reports,  is  received — 
but  the  Miller,  I perceive  has  left  off,  or  rather  I believe,  has 
not  yet  begun  to  report  wdiat  Wheat  is  manufactured,  and 
what  flour  is  made. — The  price  of  both  these  articles  have 
fallen  in  this  market  as  well  as  in  that  of  Alexandria ; but  as 
I see  no  permanent  cause  for  it,  and  know  that  the  last  years 
crop  of  Wheat  was  very  short  indeed,  in  all  parts  of  the 
United  States,  I have  no  doubt  of  its  getting  up  again  ; if  the 
holders  of  it,  and  the  flour  are  not  too  precipitate  in  their 
sales  thereof. 

My  ideas  with  respect  to  the  Inclosure  for  Corn  at  the 
Mansion  house,  (within  the  present  pasture  fence)  are  clearly 
understood  by  you ; — and  I wish  the  fence  to  run  accord- 
ingly ; and  if  all  the  ground  which  shall  be  inclosed  by  it 
cannot  be  cultivated  in  this  article,  I should  prefer  putting 
that  part  into  it  which  you  deem  (and  I believe  very  properly) 
the  poorest  for  the  produce  of  either  part,  is  not  so  much  an 
object  with  me,  as  cleaning — ornamenting — and  laying  the 
grounds  to  grass ; after  preparing  and  improving  of  them  as 
fully  as  my  means  will  allow. — On  this  principal  also  it  is,  I 
tend  the  field  by  the  White  gates ; — and  want  to  clear  up  (as 


150 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


fast  as  I can)  the  Woods  between  the  Alexandria  road  and 
the  pasture  fence. — That  the  grubbing  in  this  wood  will  be 
found  very  bad  I have  no  doubt, — and  though  the  clearing  of 
it  may  not  keep  pace  with  my  wishes,  yet  my  expectations 
are  not  unreasonable. — All  the  force  that  can  be  bestowed  in 
the  accomplishment  of  these  objects,  I wish  may  be  given ; 
but  I do  not  mean  that  labour,  more  essential  at  other  places, 
is  to  be  neglected  in  order  to  effect  them. — 

As  I shall  be  at  Mount  Yernon  (if  nothing  unforeseen  pre- 
vents it)  before  the  Corn  in  the  white  gate  inclosure  will  be 
planted,  the  thinning  of  the  trees  in  it  may  be  left  till  I 
come  j — but  the  vistos  as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  the  field 
had  better  be  plowed  altogether  that  the  whole  face  of  the 
ground  may  be  smooth  and  even. — When  you  clean  up  within 
the  pasture  fence,  do  not  meddle  with  the  trees  that  grow  on 
either  side  of  the  road  leading  to  the  first  gate  on  the  sides 
of  the  hills — nor  in  the  valley  which  leads  from  the  first  gate 
for  some  distance  up  it. — The  lane  back  of  the  clover  lot  will 
pass  over  very  bad  and  dangerous  gr*^  for  horses,  or  stock  of 
any  kind  to  be  crowded  and  quarrelling  in  ; — but  you  will,  I 
have  no  doubt,  fall  upon  some  expedient  to  guard  against  the 
accidents  which  otherwise  might  arise  from  the  deep  gullied 
part  of  it. — 

My  plan  for  the  two  sheds  at  Dogue-run  (one  on  each  side 
of  the  barn,  and  adjoining  the  Corn  houses,  which  were  to 
make  the  south  ends  of  them)  was,  to  lay  Cills  on  the  brick 
foundations,  which  were  intended  to  be  raised  high  enough 
above  the  ground  to  prevent  their  rotting. — On  these  Cills  a 
frame  was  to  be  erected,  the  plates  of  which  was  to  be  high 
enough  to  be  out  of  the  way  of  the  horses  heads ; with  a 
range  of  troughs  for  feeding ; and  either  racks,  or  places  back 
of  the  troufichs  or  manorers  as  in  the  stables  at  the  Mansion 
house,  for  Hay. — The  backs,  and  ends  next  the  barn  to  be 
boarded  up : — and  the  fronts  also,  as  low  as  to  admit  a tall 
horse  to  pass  under  with  ease. — The  Posts  and  studs  may  be 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


151 


placed  at  such  distances  as  to  suit  for  Stalls  now,  or  hereafter. 
— The  enclosed  rough  sketch,  with  what  I have  here  said, 
will  give  you  a full  idea  of  my  design. — A door  in  the  middle 
of  each  shed  must  be  left,  through  which  to  carry  out  the 
dung,  or  litter  to  the  stercoraries  back  of  them. — 

As  it  is  my  wish  to  plant  many  Irish  potatoes  this  year,  be 
sure  to  reserve  enough  for  seed,  by  making  ample  allowance 
for  thefts,  waste,  and  rotting. — I shall  send  you  by  the  first 
vessel  a bushel  and  half  of  clean  honey  locust  seed  ; which  I 
would  have  raised  in  a nursery  for  the  purpose  of  hedging. — 
By  an  experiment  I have  made  a (large)  quart  contains  4,000 
seed  ; this,  allowing  ten  Seed  to  a foot,  would  sow,  or  plant, 
four  rows  of  100  feet  each  ; — at  this  rate,  40  quarts  (which  I 
think  you  may  count  upon,  at  least)  would  require  160  rows  ; 
gr*^  for  which  I would  have  you  prepare  whenever  you  shall 
find  most  convenient,  that  the  seed  may  be  put  in  as  soon  as 
it  arrives  : — two  feet  apart  will  be  enough  for  the  rows,  as  to 
weed  the  plants  until  they  are  fit  to  transplant  is  all  that  will 
be  required — and  this  will  be  done  in  two  years. 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  French  AYill  is  resuming  his  old 
tricks  again. — The  lye  he  tells,  respecting  my  promise  of 
freedom  to  him,  after  seven  years  service,  carries  its  convic- 
tion along  with  it ; — inasmuch  as  I had  no  certainty  of  hold- 
ing him  an  hour  after  Mrs.  French’s  death  ; which  might 
have  happened  within  the  year  I hired  him  ; how  then  could 
1 promise  freedom  to  a person  I held  under  such  a tenure  ? — 
Harsh  treatment  will  not  do  with  him  ; — }’OU  had  better 
therefore  let  him  piddle,  and  in  this  way  (though  I believe 
little  trust  is  to  be  placed  in  him)  get  what  you  can  out  of 
him. — 

AYhat  is  the  matter  with  Dick  at  Dogue-Run,  who  has 
been  reported  lame  for  sometime  ? — 

I am  Your  friend 

Washington. 


152 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


LIY. 

Philadelphia  tlan^  25^^  1795. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

Since  my  last  of  this  day  week,  I have  received  your  letters 
of  the  and  18*^^  inst^,  with  the  weekly  reports — and  an 
acc^  of  sundry  payments  and  the  rec^  therefor. — The  latter 
(that  is  the  vouchers)  I did  not  wish  to  have  had  sent — it  would 
have  been  time  enough  to  exhibit  these  when  I come  home, 
and  settled  the  acc^  regularly. — xVll  I wanted  for  the  present, 
— or  rather  for  the  past  year — was  a gen^  acc^  of  all  the 
monies  you  had  received,  and  paid,  from  the  time  of  your 
taking  charge  of  the  business,  up  to  the  close  of  the  year  1794. 
comprehending  therein  the  Overseers  Wages — and  whatever 
belonged  properly  to  that  year,  that  I might  have  a view  of 
the  receipts  and  expenditures  thereof,  and  might  see  how  I 
was  going  on. — 

In  looking  over  your  acc‘  curP,  and  comparing  it  with  the 
Millers  receipt,  I find  an  error  of  £9-4-6  to  your  disadvan- 
t[a]ge — that  is,  you  have  only  charged  me  with  £22-18-0 
cash  paid  him,  whereas  by  his  receipt,  it  appears  that  he  had 
• got  from  you  £32 .2.6  cash,  and  acknowledges  to  have  re- 
ceived the  first  named  sum  in  other  articles. 

I am  sorry  to  find  that  flour  has  fallen  so  considerably  be- 
fore the  little  I made  was  ready  for  market,  and  was  disposed 
of ; — but  as  there  is  no  reason  that  I can  perceive  for  this 
great  fall  (knowing,  that  the  Wheat  crop  last  year  was  ex- 
tremely short,  in  all  the  States  of  the  Union  which  raise  this 
grain  for  exportation)  I have  no  doubt  of  the  price  being  up 
again  (possibly  not  so  high)  before  the  warm  weather ; when 
it  must  be  sold  at  any  rate,  for  fear  of  its  spoiling. — 

How  does,  or  did  whilst  the  ground  was  uncovered,  your 
early  Wheat  look  ? — I was  unlucky  in  my  growth  of  it  last 
year. — Docf^  Stuart  had  a good  return  for  what  he  sowed ; — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


153 


and  CoP  Ball  a very  great  one. — I wish  there  might  not  have 
been  some  imposition  on  me,  the  year  before  last  in  the  seed ; 
of  this  I entertained  some  suspicion  when  you  informed  me 
last  harvest  that  it  appeared  to  be  very  little  forwarder  in 
ripening  than  the  common  wheat — Does,  or  did  your  crops 
of  Wheat  continue  to  look  well  before  the  Snow  fell  ? — and 
your  grass  lots,  and  meadows  also  ? — 

How  does  the  treading  floor  in  the  new  barn  at  Dogue-run 
answer  ? — Having  tried  it  now  in  both  Wheat  and  Oats,  you 
must  be  enabled  to  decide,  whether  it  is  a more  expeditious 
mode  than  to  tread  on  the  ground,  or  not. — That  it  is  more 
clean  and  safe,  if  the  lower  door  is  always  kept  locked  it 
ought  to  be,  except  when  the  fan  is  at  work)  can  admit  of  no 
doubt. — 

I approve  of  your  idea  of  putting  the  little  old  field  at  the 
ferry  into  Corn,  and  laying  it  down  with  Wheat  and  clover. 
— From  the  length  of  time  it  has  lain  out,  it  ought  to  produce 
well. — If  there  is  any  part  to  clear,  do  not  deprive  it  of  all 
the  Wood — either  leave  single  trees,  or  clumps ; — indeed  1 
would,  without  always  giving  particular  directions,  have  this 
attended  to  as  a general  rule. — It  is  always  in  one’s  power  to 
cut  a tree  down, — but  time  only  can  place  them  where  one 
would  have  them,  after  the  gr*^  is  stripped  of  thein.^ — 

The  Gardener  may  go  on  with  his  nursery — and  be  told 
that  he  shall  be  allowed  the  fifth  of  what  are  sold — or  raised. — 

Altho’  Bishop  should  never  have  wanted  victuals  or  cloaths 
whilst  he  lived,  yet  his  death  cannot  be  cause  of  regret,  even 
to  his  daughter  ; to  whom,  from  the  imbecility  of  age,  if  not 
when  he  died,  he  soon  must  have  become,  very  troublesome 
to  her,  and  a burthen  to  all  around  him.** 


^ The  only  flag  Washington  ever  suggested  for  the  Colonies  was  a tree  in 
a field.  Had  he  ever  heard  of  the  mythical  cherry  tree  fallen  beneath  his 
hatchet  he  would  probably  have  repudiated  it,  not  only  as  a lover  of  truth, 
but  of  trees. 

^ Bishop, — as  to  the  care  necessary  for  whom  the  reader  will  recall  an 


154 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I never  saw  Donaldson’s  son,  but  from  what  you  have  said 
respecting  him,  I am  very  willing  to  allow  him  his  victuals, 
and  course  cloathing : — but  ascertain  the  quantum,  and  sort 
of  both,  in  writing,  to  prevent  mistakes  and  grumbling  here- 
after.— I am  always  ready,  and  willing,  to  fulfil  every  engage- 
ment I enter  into ; — and  hating  disputes,  I wish  always  that 
contracts  may  be  clearly  understood ; — for  this  reason  also,  it 
is  necessary  he  should  know  that  the  boy  must  work  duly  and 
truely. — And  whilst  I am  on  this  subject, — I would  repeat  my 
expectation  that  he  will  take  pains  to  teach  those  who  work 
with  him  (especially  Isaac  and  the  boy  Jem)  in  the^??*m6‘^Z^?6* 
of  the  several  kinds  of  work  they  are  employed  in  ; — particular 
in  Carts,  AVheels,  Plows,  Harrows,  AVheel  barrows,  and  such 
kinds  of  impliments  as  are  used  about  a farm,  or  dwelling 
house. — I would  also  have  him  cautioned  against  an  error 
which  I have  felt  no  small  inconvenience  from ; — and  that  is, 
that  rather  than  persevere  in  doing  things  right  themselves, 
and  being  at  the  trouble  of  making  others  do  the  like,  they 
will  fall  into  the  slovenly  mode  of  executing  work  which  is 
practiced  by  those,  among  whom  they  are. — I have  experienced 
this  not  only  from  European  tradesmen, — but  from  farmers 
also,  who  have  come  from  England ; and  from  none  in  a 
greater  degree,  than  from  Mr.  Whiting,  and  one  Bloxham, 
who  proceeded  him  ; — and  who,  tho’  perfectly  acquainted  with 
every  part  of  a farmers  business; — and  peculiarly  so  (the  lat- 
ter I mean)  in  the  management  and  use  of  Oxen  for  the  Cart 
or  plow,  double  or  single,  with  yokes  or  with  harness ; yet,  find- 
ing it  a little  troublesome  to  instruct  the  Kegros,  and  to  com- 
pel them  to  the  practice  of  his  modes ; he  slided  into  theirs  / 
and  at  length  (which  I adduce  as  a proof)  instead  of  using 
proper  flails  for  threshing  the  grain,  I have  found  my  people  at 
this  work  with  hoop  poles. — and  other  things  similar  thereto. — 


admonition  (p.  110), — had  been  the  English  body  servant  of  Braddock,  who, 
it  is  said,  when  dying  confided  him  to  Washington.  He  married  at  Mount 
Vernon,  and  lived  beyond  fourscore  years. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


155 


I am  glad  to  find  you  are  engaged  in  so  useful,  and  desir- 
able a work  as  that  of  filling  up  gullies  in  the  fields  that  are 
coining  into  cultivation. — Nothing  can  be  more  benificial  on 
the  farms  than  this  ; — but  where  they  are  deep,  use  old  trees, 
stumps,  stones,  broken  rails,  and  such  things  for  the  bottom  ; 
— otherwise  the  quantity  of  litter  and  leaves  which  w^  be  re- 
quired, would  be  immense. — I served  N°  5.  at  Union  farm  in 
this  manner,  where  a gully  was,  almost  across  the  whole  field, 
in  which  a horse  might  have  been  hid ; — and  where,  at  this 
day,  I believe  there  is  scarcely  any  trace  of  it. — 

I think  it  not  unlikely  that  French’s  Will  is  in  Maryland: — 
when  he  was  guilty  of  these  tricks  formerly  (before  I had 
him)  his  walks,  and  harbouring  place  was,  as  I have  been  in- 
formed, somewhere  within  the  circle  of  Broad  Creek,  Bladens- 
burgh  and  upper  Marlborough : — the  precise  spot  I do  not 
know,  nor  is  it  worth  while  (except  for  the  sake  of  example, 
nor  for  that,  if  it  stops  with  him)  to  be  at  inucli  trouble,  or 
at  any  expence  over  a trifle,  to  hunt  him  up. — 

Let  the  Gardener  know  that  I will  endeavor  to  procure  the 
Seeds  he  has  wrote  for,  but  tell  him  at  the  same  time  that  he 
must  endeavor  to  save  seeds  for  himself  : — Besides  the  high 
prices  of  Seeds  in  the  Shops  in  this  City,  he  knows  from  the 
experience  of  those  I have  heretofore  sent  him  from  hence, 
that  they  are  not  to  be  relied  on. — Get  from  him  all  the  Seed 
of  the  S*^  Foin  which  he  saved  last  year,  and  plant  it  to  the 
best  advantage  you  can  the  ensuing  spring,  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  seed. — I am  extremely  anxious  to  raise  all  the  seed  I 
can  from  this  plant : — It  must  not  be  planted  where  hares  can 
get  to  it ; — they  are  so  fond  of  it  as  not  to  let  it  rise  to  seed. — 
With  the  Trees  which  were  sent  by  Mr.  Lear  last  spring, 
or  from  hence  (I  am  not  sure  which)  was  sent  you  furze  seed 
— as  also  Cale,  or  Cole  seed — Let  these  also  be  made  the 
most  of,  as  well  as  the  other  grass  seeds  which  were  saved 


> BrcLsdca  mapua. 


156 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


from  the  plants  in  the  Vineyard — and  from  those  in  the  little 
garden  by  the  Salt  house  — The  books  you  have  will  tell 

when  to  sow. — Fifty  or  Sixty  bushels  of  Oats,  indeed  less, 
will  be  more  than  enough  to  save  for  my  horses,  the  first  trip 
I shall  make  to  Mount  Vernon,  after  the  rising  of  Congress; 
and  by  the  time  the  second  trip  is  made,  the  new  crop  will  be 
harvested,  or  on  the  point  of  it ; — yet,  to  make  the  matter 
sure  (as  the  second  trip  will  consume  two  or  three  hund*^ 
bushels,  in  all  probability)  put  by  100  bushels  for  my  use ; — 
after  which  sell  all  you  can  spare,  reserving  enough  of  the 
hest  for  seed  and  for  such  other  uses  as  you  know  they  will  be 
wanted  for. — I do  not  know  what  ground  except  7 at 
Dogue-run  you  mean  to  sow  with  Oats  next  spring ; but  have 
no  doubt  you  will  take  care  to  put  in  enough. — 

This  induces  me  to  ask,  whether,  as  the  ferry  people  will 
have  the  field  at  Mansion  house  to  tend  in  Corn,  as  well  as 
1 at  home,  it  would  not  be  as  well  to  put  the  little  old 
field  at  that  farm,  if  it  could  be  fenced,  and  well  prepared  in 
time^  into  Oats  and  clover  this  Spring,  as  to  let  it  go  into 
Corn  ; and  then  into  Wheat  and  clover  in  the  fall  ? — The 
Oats  would  answer  for  the  horses  as  well  as  the  Corn,  whilst 
the  clover  would  be  sooner  fit  for  use.  But  in  this  do  as  you 
like  best. — 

If  Mr.  L[uiid]  Washington  is  indebted  for  fish,  the  charge, 
I presume,  is  on  the  fish  acc*^  and  where  that  is  I know  not 
at  present. — 

I wish  you  well — and 

am  Your  friend 

G°  Washington. 

P.S. — What  things  were  sent  to  Mount  Vernon  when  the 
Mare  and  Colt  which  Austin  rode  was  carried  tliere  ? — And 
among  them  was  there  a bundle  for  Mrs.  Elder  ? 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


157 


LY. 

Philadelphia  Feb^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I write  to  you  this  week,  more  for  the  sake  of  letting  you 
know  that  your  letter  of  the  25*"^  ult°  with  the  reports,  came 
safe,  than  because  I have  anything  to  communicate  that  is  in 
any  degree  material. 

I have  no  doubt  of  Ceder  making  a good  hedge — but  I 
have  very  great  ones  of  your  getting  them  to  live,  when 
transplanted ; — and  if  they  should  not,  your  labour  as  well  as 
the  plants  will  be  lost.  Were  there  not  Cedar  berries  sown 
in  the  Vineyard  last  year  ? or  the  year  before  ? and  whether 
did  they  come  up  or  not  ? 

There  are  various  opinions  as  to  the  proper  season  for  re- 
moving these  trees  : — some  say  spring  : — some  say  autumn  : 
— and  others  insist  upon  it  that  mid  summer  is  the  proper 
season. — I never  succeeded  even  tolerably,  until  I removed 
them  in  deep  frosts ; with  a block  of  frozen  earth  hard  bound 
(by  the  frost)  to  their  roots. — In  this  manner  few  or  none 
will  be  lost ; but  in  all  probability  the  winter  is  too  far  spent 
for  the  adoption  of  this  mode  of  transplanting  them. — My 
opinion  is,  that  any  trees  or  shrubs  that  will  bear  to  stand 
close  together  without  injuring  each  other,  will  do  for  par- 
tition fences  against  horses,  cattle,  and  even  sheep  ; — but  that 
nothing  short  of  a close  rail  fence,  or  stone  wall,  is  secure 
against  hogs. — This,  among  other  reasons  has  made  me  anx- 
ious to  try  (as  an  experiment  at  least)  to  raise  these  animals 
in  Sties  from  pigs. — It  has  succeeded  well  where  tried. — ^ 

It  is  happy  for  old  Betty,  and  her  children  and  friends, 
that  she  is  taken  of  [f]  the  stage ; — her  life  must  have  been 
miserable  to  herself,  and  troublesome  to  all  those  around 
her. — 

I am — Your  friend  &c^ 

Washington. 


158 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


LVI. 


Philadelphia  Feb^  8^^^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  with  its  enclosures,  came  to  my  hands  as  usual, 
by  the  Mail  of  yesterday. — 

The  general  accounts,  as  1 mentioned  in  a late  letter,  may 
remain  for  settlement,  until  my  arrival  at  Mount  Vernon,  and 
up  to  the  close  of  the  last  year. 

I do  not,  among  the  things  sent  to  Mount  Vernon  by  Mrs. 
Styles  (as  in  the  possession  of  Austin)  see  any  shirts  men- 
tioned.— Was  it  an  omission,  or  were  there  none  sent? — 
Some  of  the  articles,  I presume,  belonged  to  himself,  and 
were  designed  for  his  wife,  which  she  may  still  have  if  they 
are  known. — 

I had  doubts  myself,  whether  the  little  old  field  at  the 
ferry  could  be  got  in  good  order,  in  time^  for  Oats  and  clover, 
when  I suggested  the  idea  to  you ; I consent  very  readily 
therefore  to  your  tending  it  in  Corn,  and  laying  it  down  in 
Wheat  and  clover, — (what  quantity  is  there  of  it,  that  is  how 
many  acres  will  there  be  cultivated  in  the  piece) — and  if 
there  is  the  least  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  field  by  the 
white  gates  will  be  wanted  for  pasture,  or  cannot  be  %vell  cul- 
tivated, I as  readily  give  this  over  also — for  you  will  recollect 
that  my  constant  admonishment  has  been  never  to  undertake 
more  than  you  can  (in  the  common  course  of  weather,  and 
other  circumstances)  accomplish  well.  I agree  likewise  to  the 
arrangement  which  you  propose  with  respect  to  the  fields  2s  o. 
1,  3,  and  6 at  Muddy  hole ; — and  desire  that  you  would,  at  all 
times,  suggest  any  plans  which  you  think  may  be  advantageous ; 
— always  keeping  in  mind,  that  immediate  profit  is  not  so  much 
an  object  with  me  as  the  restoration  of  worn  out  and  gullied 
fields  ; — bringing  them  in  condition  to  bear  grass  ; — reclaim- 
ing and  laying  swamps  to  meadow  ; making  live  fences  (espe- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


150 

cially  where  hogs  are  not  suffered  to  run)  ; — and  ornamenting 
the  grounds  about  the  Mansion  house. — 

The  old  clover  lot  at  that  j)lace  it  is  niy  wish  should  be 
planted  this  year  with  Potatoes ; and  the  poor  parts  thereof, 
as  far  as  your  means  will  extend,  to  be  well  manured. — 

You  should  take  care  to  advertise,  in  time,  the  horse  and 
Jacks  for  covering,  the  ensuing  season. — Let  them  stand  at 
the  same  rates  they  did  last  year. — If  they  were  lower  I might 
get  more  Mares  to  them,  without  adding  much  to  the  profit ; 
especially  as  my  pastures  would  be  injured  (that  is  to  say 
eaten  barer)  thereby. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  your  AVIJ  fields  have  been  so  thinly 
covered  with  snow,  during  the  late  frosts  and  wet  weather. — 
If  this  should  continue  to  be  the  case,  it  is  much  to  be  feared 
that  the  remainder  of  this  month,  and  the  succeeding  one, 
will  prove  very  injurious. — 

Herewith  are  the  garden  seeds  which  Elder  wrote  for : — 
but  tell  him  that  such  seeds  as  he  can  save,  he  ought  to  save. 
— It  is  shameful  for  Gardeners  and  farmers  to  be  buying 
seeds  that  their  own  soil  and  climate  will  produce,  after  being 
once  furnished. — 

I remain  Your  friend 

G”  Washington. 

LYII. 

Philadelphia  Feb^  15*^^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter,  and  the  reports  of  the  proceeding  Week,  came 
duly  to  hand. — 

It  is  my  earnest  wish  to  have  my  land  on  four-mile  run  re- 
surveyed, and  the  bounds  thereof  ascertained ; that  the  pre- 
tence of  not  knowing  the  lines  may — no  longer — be  an  excuse 
for  the  trespasses  which  are  committed  thereon,  to  the  great 
diminution  of  its  value  ; — the  wood  being  the  more  important, 
as  the  land  is  of  a mean  quality. — For  the  purpose  of  survey- 


160 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


ing,  it  was,  that  I left  the  papers  with  you ; and  more  than 
once  liave  called  your  attention  to  this  business. — It  might  be 
well  to  agree  upon  some  day  with  Mr.  AVashington  ‘ and 
others,  (amongst  whom  a Mr.  Terret  joins)  that  are  knowing 
to  the  lines,  and  interested  in  the  business  ; that  it  may  be 
effectually  done  if  every  thing  is  clear,  and  no  difficulties  sh^^ 
arise  with  respect  to  title,  or  bounds. — If  tliese,  or  either  of 
them,  should  happen,  enter  into  no  agreement  that  will  be 
obligatory  on  me. — I attempted,  as  will  appear  by  some  notes 
amongst  the  papers  I left  with  you,  to  Survey  this  land  my- 
self ; but  having  no  person  with  me  who  was  acquainted  with 
the  lines,  I was  unable  to  find  more  than  two  or  three  of  the 
Corners. — A Moses  Ball,  if  living,  must  have  some  knowledge 

of  the  lines  : — Air. also,  but  as  he  is  interested  in  this 

business,  and  is  accused  of  being  a pretty  considerable  tres- 
passer on  the  part  which  joins  him,  it  would  not  be  strange  if 
corner  and  line  trees  both  are  cut  down  ; — nor  vcr]j  strange, 
if  it  has  not  happened  from  entire  ignorance,  if  he  should  not 
endeavor  to  perplex,  and  mislead,  thereabouts. — As  the  Survey 
is  not  in  consequence  of  a law  suit,  and  made  by  order  of  the 
Court,  there  is  no  necessity  of  employing  the  County  Sur- 
veyor, unless  he  possesses  more  skill  than  any  other  who  can 
readily  be  got ; and  will  do  it  upon  as  moderate  terms,  as  any 
other. — Do  not  let  my  papers  go  out  of  your  hands — or  any 
copies  be  taken  from  them. — The  Surveyor,  if  he  is  a man  of 
Science,  will  know  what  the  variation  of  the  compass  is,  and 
what  allowance  to  make  for  it,  if  any  difficulty  should  arise 
from  the  want  of  the  Corner,  and  line  trees. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  it  is  not  likely  I shall  have  more 
than  a 1000  bushels  of  Oats  to  spare. — The  crop  must  have 
fallen  far  short  of  my  calculation,  or  the  quantity  consumed 
much  greater  than  I had  conceived,  to  reduce  the  stock  on 

‘ Lund  Washington.  The  survey  may  have  been  suggested  in  the  con- 
sultation (p.  106)  with  Col.  Simms  (eminent  as  an  ofl&cer  and  a jurist, — a 
pall-bearer  of  Washington.)  (Appendix  F.) 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


161 


hand,  so  low. — From  the  appearance  of  them  growing,  I had 
hopes  that  nearer  four  than  three  thousand  bushels  would 
have  been  produced  by  the  several  fields  and  lots,  which  were 
in  this  article,  last  year. — I am  not  disposed  to  take  half  a 
crown  (that  is  2/6)  for  them,  yet — they  certainly  must  be 
liigher  before  the  Month  of  April  passes  off,  or  they  will  bear 
no  proportion  in  price  to  other  grain. — 

I have  no  objection  to  your  transplanting  the  young  cedars 
which  grow  in  the  nursery ; but  not  knowing  the  number 
there  may  be  of  them,  I am  at  a loss  to  what  fence  they  should 
be  removed. — If  there  was  a sufficiency  of  them,  to  plant  them 
thick  enough  for  a hedge,  from  the  gate  which  leads  into  K** 
1 at  Union  farm  to  the  Barn  (along  the  ditch)  and  from  thence 
onwards  as  far  as  that  ditch  runs  I should  prefer  this  as  a 
hedge  of  them,  to  any  other — next  to  this,  I should  prefer  an 
avenue  of  them  from  the  Mill  road  up  to  Union  Barn  (along 
the  fence  on  each  side). — If  they  are  incompetent  to  this  pur- 
pose also,  perhaps  it  would  be  best  to  make  good  the  hedge, 
with  them,  at  Biver  farm ; which  is  of  Cedar  from  the  river 
up  to  the  Woods. — If  they  are  insufficient  for  either  of  these 
purposes,  plant  them  wherever  you  think  they  will  answer 
best. — You  say  that  the  seed  which  was  sown  last  year  did 
not  come  up. — In  what  manner  it  was  prepared  and  sown  I 
know  not ; but  if  they  ai’e  not  soaked  in  water  (warmed  I 
suppose  would  be  best)  and  all  the  gum,  or  coat  that  is  around 
them  rubbed  off,  quite  to  the  naked  seed,  it  will  be  to  no  pur- 
pose to  sow  them — for  without  this  is  done,  or  they  pass 
through  the  body  of  some  animal,  the  gathering  of  the  seed — 
preparing  the  ground — and  sowing  them,  will  be  entire  lost 
labor. — 

If  the  lot  between  the  Stable  and  the  spring  is  not  well^  and 
thickly  taken  with  Lucern,  and  entirely  free  from  grass  and 
weeds  I wish  you  would  put  a heavy  harrow  with  sharp  teeth 
thereon,  and  tare  the  ground  in  a manner  to  pieces — without 
regarding  how  much  the  lucern  plants  are  torn  and  maimed. — 
11 


162 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


In  a word,  make  tlie  top  of  the  ground  fine,  and  perfectly  free 
from  grass  and  weeds ; and  then  sow  it  at  the  rate  of  5 lbs  of 
Lucern,  and  the  same  quantity  of  red  clover,  to  the  acre. — If 
none  of  the  former  has  been  saved  from  that  which  you  grew 
in  the  Vineyard,  let  me  know  your  want,  and  it  shall  be  sent 
from  hence. — If  the  Lucern,  in  the  lot  I have  been  speaking 
of  is  too  thin,  or  overdone  with  grass  or  weeds,  I would  prefer 
plowing  it  up  first,  and  then  harrowing  it  until  it  is  in  the 
mo^i ])e7ifect  order  imaginable,  before  it  is  sown  in  the  manner 
before  mentioned. 

If  you  depend  upon  me  for  Linnen  to  cloath  my  Negros,  let 
me  know  without  delay  the  quantity  necessary,  that  it  may  be 
sent  in  time. — And  let  me  entreat  that  proper  care  and  atten- 
tion may  be  given  to  the  Bacon,  to  prevent  spoiling ; and  that 
we  may  find  it  good  when  we  come  home. 

Enclosed  you  will  find  two  letters,  one  from  Smith,  respect- 
ing the  fishery  at  Union  farm,  and  the  other  from  old 
Butler. — My  answer  to  the  first,  left  open  for  your  perusal 
before  it  be  sent  to  him,  will  be  a sufficient  indication  of 
what  will  be  best  for  you  to  say  to  him  on  the  subject  of 
his  application. — To  the  other  I have  given  no  answer ; — 
but  would  have  you  enquire  from  time  to  time  into  his  real 
situation,  and  afford  him  such  relief  as  his  necessities  shall 
appear  to  require. 

The  tedious  manner  in  which  my  carpenters  seem  to  execute 
every  thing  they  take  in  hand,  is  extremely  to  be  regretted. — 
They  seem,  from  the  reports,  to  have  been  weeks  getting 
scantling  for  the  Sheds  at  D:  Bun  ; when,  from  the  idea  I 
had  of  this  work,  I presumed  a few  days  would  have  sufficed. — 
I beg  therefore  that  you  will  make  them  report  how  much 
hewing, — and  how  much  sawing  they  perform  in  the  Week. — 
One  may  know  then  what  it  is  they  have  really  done ; and 
can  judge,  by  what  is  known  to  be  the  performance  of  others, 
at  this  season  in  similar  timber,  and  of  similar  work. — I re- 
quire no  more  of  them  than  others  do ; — but  this  I must  have 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


if;3 


by  fair  means,  or  by  coercion, — the  first  would  be  vastly  more 
agreeable  to  me. 

By  the  Heports  I perceive  also,  that  for  every  day  Betty 
Davis  works  she  is  laid  up  two. — If  she  is  indulged  in  this 
idleness  she  will  grow  worse  and  worse,  for  she  has  a disposi- 
tion to  be  one  of  the  most  idle  creatures  upon  earth  ; and  is, 
besides,  one  of  the  most  deceitful. — 

I remain  Your  friend 

G®  AVasiiington. 


LYIII. 

Philadelphia  22*^  Feb.  17h4. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  15^^  inst^  and  the  reports,  have  come  to 
hand  as  usual. 

I was  affraid  the  open  weather  we  have  had,  with  frost, 
would  liave  injured  the  Wheat. — A short  crop  of  this  article 
two  years  running,  wo*^  fall  heavy  upon  me ; as  it  seems  to  be 
the  only  thing,  to  any  sort  of  amount,  from  which  the  means 
is  derived,  by  which  the  various,  and  heavy  expences  of  my 
estate,  is  borne. — If  the  Wheat  is  thrown  much  out  of  the 
ground,  and  the  roots  exposed,  try  the  roller  thereon — re- 
peatedly— as  soon  as  the  earth  is  a little  settled,  and  the  roller 
will  pass  over  it  without  its  sticking  thereto; — over  the  parts 
I mean  (of  the  fields)  that  are  injured.  I tried  this  metliod 
one  year  with  very  good  success  ; and  it  is  a practice  strongly 
recommended  by  all  the  Books  on  farming. — I have,  myself, 
seen  bunches  of  Wheat  the  roots  of  which  have  been  entirely 
out  of  the  ground,  take  again  by  the  Boilers  compressing 
them  to  the  earth : and  the  chance  of  doing  it  is  well  worth 
the  expence,  and  time  which  is  required  by  the  Boiler,  drawn 
with  Oxen. 

Put  such  part  of  the  field  (intended  to  be  enclosed)  at  the 
Mansion  house,  into  Corn,  or  other  things,  as  you  shall  judge 


lU 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


best ; — regarding  however,  what  I hav^e  repeatedly  mentioned, 
tliat  profit  from  any  thing  that  can  he  raised  there  (at  the 
Mansion  house  I mean)  is  not  so  much  an  object  with  me,  as 
cleaning  the  ground  ; — beautifying  it  with  trees  ; — and  laying 
it  to  grass. — I had  no  idea  of  there  being  70  acres  within  the 
bounds  you  have  described  ; — nor  do  I perfectly  comprehend 
your  description  of  them  ; — or  rather,  the  length  of  each  line 
is  greater  than  I had  any  conception  of. — For  in  the  first 
place,  1 had  no  idea  of  its  measuring  80  perches  from  the 
black  gate  (in  the  hollow)  to  the  turn  of  the  road  by  the  cor; 
ner  of  the  clover  lot ; — or,  that  from  thence  to  the  declivity 
of  the  hill,  towards  the  Creek,  could  be  87  more. — I do  not 
mean  that  the  fence  from  thence,  sh.  descend  the  hill  lower 
than  merely  to  hide  it  from  the  house,  and  from  the  road 
going  up  to  the  house. — To  what  part  of  the  outer  fence  you 
propose  to  join  the  last  mentioned  course,  I know  not ; and 
therefore  cannot  judge  so  well  of  the  distance. — 

I am  a little  at  a loss  for  an  answer  to  ^Ir.  Tho®  H s 

request,  respecting  the  Jack. — I should  have  no  objection  to 
letting  one  of  my  Jacks  stand  on  the  Eastern  shore,  if  entire 
confidence  could  be  placed  in  the  person  to  whose  care  he  was 
entrusted;  but  from  the  loose,  and  dissipated  character  of  the 
above  named  Gentleman  so  far  as  I have  heard  it  spoken  of, 
I have  doubts  of  the  propriety  of  committing  one  of  them  to 
his  management: — and  besides,  it  is  almost,  if  not  quite  too 
late  now,  to  negotiate  this  matter  with  him,  or  any  other  at  a 
distance;  as  the  season  would  be  too  far  advanced  before  the 
removal  could  be  made,  and  sufficient  notice  thereof  given  for 
Mares  to  be  bro*^  to  his  stand. — A year  or  two  ago  I was 
offered  by  a Connecticut  man  (who  could,  and  would  have 
given  good  security  for  the  performance  of  the  agreement) 
Five  hundred  guineas  for  four  (or  five)  years  service  (I  am 
not  certain  which)  of  the  Maltese  Jack ; although  he  would 
(for  he  went  to  Mount  Vernon  to  see  them)  have  preferred 
the  one  which  I think  is  named  Compound — and  if  I ever 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


ItJf) 

part  with  another,  it  shall  he  in  that  way ; in  order  that  1 
may  know  certainly  what  I am  to  rechive. — Letting  one  on 
shares,  I never  will ; — for  in  that  case  expences  are  trumped 
up ; — one  may  be  told  of  difficulties  in  collecting  money  ; — 
and  many  other  things,  when  accounts  come  to  be  settled  : 
with  a view  of  staving  off  payud  which,  if  they  do  not  breed 
disputes,  are  at  least  unpleasant  things,  and  ought  to  be 
avoided. — The  Connecticut  man  whom  I have  before  men- 
tioned, would  have  paid  the  money  doxon^  and  run  the  risk  of 
the  Jack's  living. — The  advantage  of  which  was  very  con- 
siderable ; as  it  was  the  best  security  possible  for  his  care  of 
the  Animal. — 

If  you,  who  ought  to  know  Mr.  II as  well  as  any 

body  does,  should  be  of  opinion  that  he  would  pay  live  hun- 
dred guineas  down^  or  give  security  for  his  doing  it  within  a 
year ; and  should  moreover  th^  that  his  care  of  the  Animal 
might  be  depended  on, — you  might  write  him  word  that 
upon  these  conditions,  he  might  have  either  of  the  Covering 
Jacks  for  four  years  ; at  the  expiration  of  which  he  is  to  be 
returned  in  good  condition,  if  living. — xVs  there  is  a young 
Jack  from  Royal  Gift  coming  on,  I believe  it  would  be  best  to 
part  with  Compound^  but  it  is  not,  to  me,  very  material 
which  of  them  is  disposed  of,  on  the  terms  before  men- 
tioned ; as  I do  not  kimw  to  which  of  their  colts  to  give 
the  preference  from  any  knowdedge  I have  of  them. — If 

you  should  write  to  Mr.  R , and  he  should  accede  to 

the  terms  here  mentioned,  the  agreement  must  be  drawn 
up  in  writing,  by  a professional  man  (that  is  by  a lawyer, 
Mr.  Ch®  Lee  ^ for  instance)  and  all  the  objects  of  it  clearly 
expressed. — 


^Charles  Lee  (1758-1815),  born  at  Leesylvania,  Westmoreland,  Va.,  had 
been  in  the  Virginia  Assembly,  and  the  Continental  Congress,  and  was  given 
prominenfcommand  in  the  expedition  against  the  Whiskey  Rebellion ; he 
was  afterwards  naval  officer  of.  the  Potomac,  until  1795,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed U.  S.  Attorney  General,  after  the  death  of  William  Bradford. 


166 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Mr.  Pearce  Bailey  may  be  informed  that  I never  lower  my 
price  of  land ; it  is  infinately  more  likely  that  it  will  be  en- 
creased,  than  to  stand  at  even  what  it  has  been  offered  for. — 
This  he  might  reasonably  expect,  as  landed  property  is  rising 
fast  in  value  every  where ; from  the  number  of  emigrants,  and 
others  who  are  wanting  to  vest  their  money  in  that  species  of 
property. — 

I am  sorry  my  letter  was  so  long  getting  to  the  hands  of  my 
Nephew  CoP  Washington  ; * — for  if  I have  not  formed  a very 
erroneous,  and  unjust  opinion  of  the  conduct  of  my  Negro 
Carpenters — there  is  not  to  be  found  so  idle  a set  of  Rascals. — 
In  short,  it  appears  to  me,  that  to  make  even  a chicken  coop, 
would  employ  all  of  them  a week  ; — buildings  that  are  run  up 
here  in  two  or  three  days  (with  not  more  hands)  employ  them 
a month,  or  more. — 

I will  cause  enquiry  to  be  made  here,  into  the  price  of 
Oznabrigs,  but  have  little  expectation  that  it  can  be  bought 
on  better  terms  in  this  City,  than  in  Alexandria — for  every 
thing  is  amazingly  dear  here. — 

By  the  Trial,  Capt”  Hand  (I  believe  the  Masters  name  is) 
I have  shipped  three  bushels  of  Clover  seed ; — two  bushels  of 
honey  locust  seed  ; and  a keg  of  scaley  bark  hiccory  nuts  ; — 
the  two  last  are  in  one  Cask : — the  high  price  of  clover  seed 
prevented  me  from  sending  more ; — what  goes,  is  fresh  and 
good. — Tell  the  Gardener  he  must  plant  the  hiccory  nuts  in 
drills  ; — as  the  Illinois  nuts  herewith  sent,  must  also  be : — 
and  they  may  be  put  near  together  in  the  drills,  as  they  will 
be  to  be  transplanted  when  they  get  to  a proper  size. — 

Have  your  ground  for  the  honey  locust  seed  in  readiness 
against  the  arrival  of  the  Vessel,  which  will  leave  this,  it  is 
said,  tomorrow ; — or  as  soon  [as]  the  floting  Ice  in  the  river 
will  permit  her  to  go  down. — The  sooner  the  locust  seeds  are 
in  the  ground  the  better. — I do  not  care  where  you  put  them, 


^ Wm.  Aug.  Washington,  of  Westmoreland. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


167 


SO  they  are  under  a secure  fence  ; at  the  Mansion  house,  or 
at  any  of  the  farms  where  tliey  will  be  attended  to,  will  be 
equally  convenient,  and  agreeable  to  me. — 

1 am  Your  friend  cVrc*” 

G°  AVasiiinoton. 


LIX. 

Philadelphia  March  1“^  171)5. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

I have  to  acknowledge  the  rec*^  of  your  letter  of  the  22‘^ 
ulP,  and  shall  give  you  my  sentiments  upon  the  several  mat- 
ters required. — 

AYith  respect  to  the  fishery,  I am  of  opinion,  that,  selling 
thein^xZ^  to  one  man,  is  best: — and  that  if  Mr.  Smith  will  give 
five  shillings  p*^  thousand  for  herrings,  and  twelve  shillg”  a 
liundred  for  the  shad,  and  will  oblige  himself  to  take  all  you 
have  to  spare,  that  you  had  better  strike,  and  enter  into  a 
written  agreement  with  him. — By  which  agreement,  he  must 
be  hound  to  receive  or  pay  for,  all  you  do  not  want  for  my 
own  use,  and  to  fill  the  100  bai*^  you  are  getting  made ; — for 
3^ou  will  recollect,  that>both  these  species  of  fish  run  in  what 
are  called  gluts  ; at  which  time  if  he  is  not  prepared  for  their 
reception,  and  compelled  to  take  them,  I shall  loose  the 
market ; and  fishing  thereby  will  become  rather  a loss  than 
benefit ; — as,  without  this,  he  being  the  only  purchaser,  you 
would  only  draw  the  Sein  as  he  could  (conveniently)  cure  the 
fish  by  w*^^  means,  when  the  fish  are  moving  up  in  a body 
and  when  ten  for  one  (at  another  time)  might  be  caught,  he 
might  not  receive  them  ; and,  of  course,  your  harvest  would 
be  lost. — Having  an  hundred  barrels  of  your  own,  will,  in 
some  measure  secure  you  against  the  extent  of  this  evil ; but 
it  ought,  nevertheless,  to  be  guarded  against. — Another  thing 
is  to  be  understood  between  you,  and  that  is,  that  he  is  not 
to  interfere  with  the  house  where  your  fish  and  salt  will 


168 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


be. — I never  chose  to  sell  to  AVaggoiiers ; — there  horses  have 
always  been  found  troublesome,  and  themselves  indeed  not 
less  so,  being  much  addicted  to  the  pulling  down  and  burning 
the  fences. — If  you  do  not  sell  to  Smith,  the  next  best  thing 
is  to  sell  to  the  Watermen. — 

I do  not  know  for  what  purpose  an  order  of  Court  is  to  be 
obtained  (by  Mr.  Washington  for  the  purpose  of  surveying 
the  land  which  he,  for  himself,  or  others,  hold  on  four  mile 
run. — If  all  the  parties  concerned  agree  to  survey,  and  make 
their  boundaries,  it  may  be  done  without  the  interference  of 
the  Court. — If  they  do  not  (as  there  is  no  suit  pending)  1 
should  not  like  to  have  any  line  marked  that  is  to  establish 
my  boundary  without  being  present  myself,  to  see  that  I had 
justice  done  me. — As  far  as  I am  able,  at  the  present  moment, 
and  under  probable  events,  to  form  an  opinion  I expect  to  be 
at  Mount  Vernon  about  the  15**'  or  20**^  of  April. — If  there- 
fore the  parties  interested,  will  endeavor  to  accomodate 
matters  to  that  time,  I will  endeavor  to  be  present  at  the 
Survey  of  the  Lands  adjoining  to  mine. — It  is  to  be  observed 
however,  that  public  business  will  not  put  it  so  much  in  my 
power  to  accomodate  myself  to  their  convenience,  as  it  may 
be  in  their  power  to  yield  to  mine ; which  obliges  me  to 
speak  more  in  general  terms  of  being  at  Mount  Vernon — 
than  definitely.’ — 

I agree  to  your  taking  up  the  young  Cedars  along  the  Creek 
side,  and  transplanting  them  in  the  lane  you  propose  ; and  am 
glad  to  find  you  have  managed  the  Cedar  berries  in  the  man- 
ner you  have  mentioned ; they  certainly  will  make  a good 
hedge ; and  are  a tree  of  quick  growth. — 

I agree  also,  and  indeed  strongly  recommend,  your  break- 


^ Lund  Washington. 

-The  Jay  Treaty  despatched  from  England  on  20  Nov.  1794,  did  not 
reach  the  United  States  till  7 March  1795.  Congress  was  to  adjourn  on 
March  4,  and  it  was  supposed  the  Treaty  would  have  to  lie  over  90  days. 
Congress  was  convened,  however,  on  June  8. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


10!) 


ing  up  the  lucern  lot  by  the  Spring ; and  wish  that  it  may  be 
extremely  well  plowed,  harrowed  and  prepared  for  lucern  and 
clover  seed  mixed  ; the  former  of  which  (if  any  fresh  and 
good  can  be  had)  I will  send  from  hence. — 

Oznabrigs  also  shall  be  sent  from  hence: — but  do  not  let 
the  w’ork  stop  for  w'ant ; — for  I do  not  suppose  it  is  to  be 
purchased  upon  much,  if  any  better  terms  here,  than  in  Alex- 
andria. Do  you  not  mean  to  spin,  for  linnen,  the  llax  that 
has  been  raised  on  the  Estate  the  two  last  years  ? — 

You  may  inform  Mr.  Bayley,  when  occasion  offers,  that  It 
is  not  certain  now^  that  the  same  price  for  which  I offered  the 
small  piece  of  land  I hold  on  Difficult  run,*  would  tempt  me 
to  part  with  it;  since  I find  by  enquiry,  that  lands  of  worse 
quality,  and  not  more  convenient  to  the  federal  City,  on  the 
Maryland  side  of  the  Potomack,  are  selling  from  twenty  to 
30  dollars  p*^  Acre  without  any  extra : advantage  to  recom- 
mend them,  whereas  mine  has  a good  Mill  seat  on  the  Main 
run  of  Difficult ; and,  in  my  opinion,  a still  better  one  on  what 
is  called  the  Bridge  branch  thereof  ; and  a considerable — [re- 
mainder of  letter  missing]. 


" LX. 

Philadelphia  8*^  March  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  sorry  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  1®^  of  this  insP  en- 
closing the  weekly  reports — that  the  Wheat  on  the  ground  is 
in  so  unpromising  away. — Another  short  crop  of  this  article 
will  fall  very  heavy  upon  me. — How  does  the  Barley  look  ? — 
It  was  not  my  intention  to  use  the  Pollers  until  the  frosts 
were  over,  and  the  ground  was  settled. — 

If  the  absconding  of  French’s  Paul  did  not  proceed  from  a 
quarrel  with,  or  threats  from,  his  Overseer,  it  will  be  found, 

^ On  tlie  V a.  side  of  tlie  Potomac  Falls,  into  whicli  it  empties.  Pearce 
Bayley  was  Collector  of  Truro  Parish. 


170 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I expect,  that  lie  has  been  guilty  of  some  piece  of  roguery ; of 
the  discovery  of  whicli  he  was  affraid : — pains  therefore  ought 
to  be  taken  to  apprehend  and  bring  him  to  punishment. — 

What  sort  of  lameness  is  Dicks  (at  D.  Dun) ; that  he  should 
have  been  confined  with  it  for  so  many  weeks  ? — and  what 
kind  of  sickness  is  Betty  Davis’s,  that  it  should  have  had  a 
similar  effect  upon  her  ? — If  pretended  ailments,  without  ap- 
parent causes,  or  visible  effects,  will  screen  her  from  work,  I 
shall  get  no  service  at  all  from  her ; — for  a more  lazy,  deceit- 
ful and  impudent  huzzy,  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  United 
States  than  she  is. — 

Is  it  Sarah  that  was  among  the  Spinners  at  the  Mansion 
house  that  is  now  in  child-bed  ? — If  so,  she  seems  to  have  be- 
gun in  time. — 

I have  bought  about  1000  yards  of  Oznabrigs  (German)  for 
cloathing  of  my  people  at  Mount  Yernon  ; but  there  is  no 
conveyance  for  it  at  present. — It  shall  be  sent  by  the  first 
vessel  direct  to  Alexandria  ; but  you  must  not  delay  this  work 
on  acc*^  of  the  non-arrival  thereof. — 

I have  made  considerable  enquiry  after  lucern  seed,  but  do 
not  find,  as  yet,  that  I have  any  certainty  of  getting  that  which 
is  good. — You  had  better  therefore  see  if  any,  on  the  good- 
ness of  which  reliance  is  to  be  placed,  can  be  had  in  Alexan- 
dria. My  enquiries  shall  not  cease  on  that  account. 

How  does  your  Hew  Overseer  at  Mansion  house  and  at 
Union  farm  conduct  themselves  ? — Is  Allison  sober,  industri- 
ous and  attentive  ? — Is  he  not  too  much  on  a level  with  those 
he  overlooks,  and  of  course  too  familiar  with  them  ? — Or  does 
he  keep  them  at  a proper  distance,  remain  always  with  them, 
and  turn  the  labour  of  those  hands  who  come  to  his  aid,  to 
the  best  advantage  ? — To  do  this  is  a matter  of  considerable 
importance  ; — otherwise  the  labour  which  will  be  lost  at  the 
respective  farms,  will  not  be  gained  at  the  Mansion  house. — 
I wish  you  well  and  am  friend 

Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


171 


P.S. 

Wliat  price  does  flour  bear  in  Alexand'^  now  ? — Superline 
has  again  got  up  to  ten  dollars  in  this  City  and  flue  flour  to 
7*2;  p*^  barP. 


LXI. 

Philadelphia  ^[arch  1705. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  ins‘  with  the  rej)orts 
of  the  preceding  week. — 

By  the  Sloop  Harmony,  Capt"  Ellwood,  who  talked  of  Sail- 
ing to-day,  I send  you  as  p*"  Bill  of  lading  enclosed,  a bale  of 
Oznabrigs  consisting  of  ten  pieces,  amounting  to  972^  yards. — 
The  Box,  and  band  box,  therein  mentioned,  are  for  Mrs. 
Fanny  Washington  as  marked;  and  is  to  remain  with  CoP 
Gilpin  ’till  she  calls  for  them  ; — Besides  these,  and  since  the 
Bill  of  lading  was  signed,  I have  put  on  board  another  small 
box,  containing  seeds  Ac*^  of  various  kinds;  some  of  them 
rare,  and  valuable. — Enclosed  is  a list  of  them  for  your  own 
information  and  government. — There  is  besides,  on  each 
parcel,  a label  descriptive  thereof  for  the  Gardener. — All 
these  seeds,  except  the  different  sorts  of  Turnips; — the 
Chiccory ; — and  Botany  bay  grass-seeds,  may  be  given  to  the 
Gardener ; with  very  particular  directions  to  use  his  utmost 
skill  and  care  to  raise  plants  from  them ; — and  that  one 
thing  may  not  be  put  here,  and  another  there,  and  never 
thought  of,  or  attended  to  afterwards  (which  has  been  too 
often  the  case  with  many  curious  and  valuable  seeds — 
stones — and  nuts  which  I have  sent  to  Mount  Yernon)  I 
desire  he  will  prepare  a piece  of  ground  well  for  them ; 
and  place  them  altogether,  either  in  the  Yineyard,  or  else- 
where, as  he  may  think  best,  when  he  comes  to  examine 
the  different  papers; — taking  especially  care  to  distinguish 
by  labels  (that  will  not  be  injured  by  weather,  for  it  seems 


172 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


some  of  the  Seeds  may  not  come  up  the  first  year)  the 
particular  spots  where  each  sort  is  sown,  or  planted. — And  as 
all  will  be  to  be  transplanted,  and  the  seeds  besides,  (being 
imported),  may  not  be  good,  he  need  not  regard  crowding 
them  a little  in  the  first  instance. — Let  him  have  also  as 
much  of  each  kind  of  the  Turnip  seed,  and  Turnip  rooted 
Cabbage,  as  he  can  spare  ground  to  put  them  in. — the  rest, 
with  the  Chiccory  and  Botany  bay  grass  seeds,  I shall  com- 
mit to  your  care,  as  there  is  enough  of  the  former,  that  is 
of  the  different  kinds  of  Turnips,  if  good,  to  sow  a good 
deal  of  ground  ; — but  to  prevent  any  waste  of  gr*^,  or  mis- 
application of  labour  in  preparing  it  for  seed  that  may  not 
come  up,  prove  all  that  will  admit  of  it,  in  time,  to  see 
if  it  will  vegitate:  for  if  the  seed  is  old,  or  has  been  in- 
jured by  crossing  the  seas,  and  will  not  come  up,  prepar- 
ing ground  for  it  would  be  lost  labor  and  improper. — This 
trial  may  readily  be  made  in  time,  of  all  the  different 
sorts  of  Turnips,  Cabbage,  and  possibly  of  the  Chiccory 
and  Botany  bay  grass  seeds. — If  the  latter  will  come  up 
I recommend  the  greatest  attention  to  it. — The  other,  that 
is  the  Chiccory,  is  what  I wrote  to  you  some  time  ago 
to  saA^e  all  the  seed  you  could  from  that  grow®  on  my 
estate. 

I have  not  been  able  to  get  any  Lucern  seed  in  this  City ; 
I wrote  on  Friday  last  to  Xew  York  for  five  pounds  of  it ; — 
if  I succeed  there,  it  shall  be  sent  by  Post : — in  the  mean 
time,  let  the  ground  intended  for  it,  be  got  in  the  mry  hest 
order ; and  the  natural  grass  and  weeds  totally  eradicated 
therefrom ; that  they  may  not  spring  up  and  choke  the  lucern 
as  was  the  case  when  sowed  before. — 

Let  Sam  supply  the  place  of  Bristol,  until  I come  home ; 
unless  (which  does  not  occur  to  me  at  present)  a likely  and 
well  disposed  young  fellow  of  man’s  growth,  or  near  it,  should 
be  found  on  my  estate  fit  to  make  a Gardener  of. — If  one, 
not  among  the  Dower  l!segros,  could  be  selected,  it  would  be 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


173 


prefered. — Honesty,  with  some  degree  of  acuteness,  are  desir- 
able ; but  in  whom  am^  iny  people  these  are  to  be  found,  I 
know  not. — Sam  lias  sense  enough,  and  has  bad  a little  ex- 
perience, but  be  wants  honesty,  and  every  other  reijuisite ; 
particularly  industry. — Cyrus,  besides  being  a Dower  slave,  is 
strongly  suspected  of  roguery  and  drinking ; — otherwise  be 
would  do  very  well,  as  be  is  likely,  young,  and  smart  enough. — 
The  children  of  Daphne  at  the  river  farm  are  among  the  best 
disposed  negros  I have,  but  I do  not  recollect  whether  there 
be  any  of  a lit  size. — 

I have  no  objection  to  your  complying  with  the  promise 
you  made  Mr.  Smith,  provided  his  salt  is  kept  distinct  from 
mine ; and  the  latter  is  guarded  from  embezzlement. — I again 
repeat,  that  when  the  Schools  of  fish  run,  you  must  draw  night 
and  day  ; and  whether  he  (Smith)  is  prepared  to  take  them  or 
not,  they  must  be  caught  and  charged  to  him  : — for  it  is  then, 
and  then  only — I have  a return  for  my  expences  ; — and  then 
it  is,  the  want  of  several  purchasers,  is  felt ; for  unless  one 
person  is  extremely  well  prepared,  he  cannot  dispose  of  the 
fish  as  fast  as  they  can  be  drawn  at  those  times  and  if  the 
Sein,  or  Seins  do  no  more  than  to  keep  pace  with  his  conven- 
ience, My  harvest  is  lost,  and  of  course  my  profit ; for  the 
herrings  will  not  wait  to  be  caught,  as  they  are  wanted  to  be 
cured. 

If  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington  does  not  draw  a Sein  at  her  own 
landing,  herself,  or  rent  it  with  a reservation  of  fish  for  her 
own  use,  let  her  get  what  she  wants  for  this  purpose,  at  my 
landing ; — and  at  any  rate,  when  you  have  occasion  to  send  to 
Alexandria,  always  send  some  for  her  Table. — And  tell  DocU 
Stuart  if  you  sh*^  see  him,  or  send  him  word  if  you  should  not, 
that  he  may  always  get  fish  for  the  latter  purpose,  by  sending 
for  them — so  may  Mr.  Lund  Washington. — 

Do  you  receive  Rent  from  Gray  or  make  him  account  for 
it  when  you  pay  for  the  weaving  he  does  for  me  ? — 

Presuming  you  saved  all  the  seed  you  could  from  the  India 


174 


GEORGE  AVASHIXGTON 


hemp,  let  it  be  carefully  sown  again,  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
into  a full  stock  of  seed. — 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 


P.S. 


Among  other  things  sent  by  Capt“  Ellwood,  is  a small -paper 
bundle  of  Pair  graffs  of  an  extraordinary  fine  kind  w'^^  desire 
the  Gardener  to  be  particular  attentive  to. 


LXIL 

Philadelphia  March  1795. 

^[r.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  15"^  and  the  reports  of  the  preceding 
week,  have  come  duly  to  hand. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  your  new  Overseers  turn  out  so 
well. — Of  Groves  I had  not  the  least  knowledge ; — my  fear 
of  x\llison  was,  that  he  would  be  too  familiar  with  those  he 
overlooked,  and  of  course  would  carry  no  authority. — If  he 
avoids  this  error,  and  is  sober,  honest,  industrious,  and  stays 
at  home  and  with  his  people,  when  at  work,  it  is  all  that  can 
be  required  of  him  ; for  I never  meant  to  entrust  anything  to 
him  that  did  not  pass  under  your  directions. — 

I received  twenty  pounds  of  Lucern  seed  from  New  York, 
as  a present  from  a gentleman  there  of  my  acquaintance ; — on 
the  goodness  of  which  entire  dependence  may  be  placed. — 
Five  pounds  of  which  shall  accompany  this  letter,  that  the  lot 
for  which  it  is  intended,  may  be  more  plentifully  sown  with 
this  seed  than  I at  first  designed,  under  the  bad  prospect  I 
then  had  of  obtaining  any  at  all  of  it. — Not  knowing  how 
much  ground  the  lot  contains,  I am  unable  to  direct  the 
quantity  of  seed  which  it  ought  to  receive  ; — but  I would  have 
you  allow  at  the  rate  of  eight  pounds  of  lucern,  and  the  like 
quantity  of  clover  mixed,  to  the  Acre. — And  as  I know  that 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


175 


ground  was  extremely  foul,  it  has  occurre<l  to  mo  to  ask  you 
(who  can  judge  better  on  the  spot  than  1 can  at  a distance) 
whether  it  might  not  he  advisable  to  delay  sowing  it  until 
August; — plowing  it  in  the  meantime  as  often  as  it  shall  ap- 
pear to  require. — If  it  is  not  already  sown,  and  you  should 
prefer  August  (for  the  reason  I have  assigned)  to  the  present 
time  this  work  may  he  delayed. — All  grasses  ought  to  be  sown 
on  clean  and  well  prepared  ground,  especially  those  near  a 
dwelling  house,  w*^*^  attract  the  eyes  of  all  visitors. — 

This  observation  ap])lies  to  grain  as  well  as  grass ; — for 
which  reason,  however  desirable  it  might  liave  been,  to  have 
got  the  Oats  in  the  ground  soon,  I had  rather  hear  it  was  de- 
layed than  that  it  should  be  sown  before  every  thing  was  in 
perfect  order  for  it ; for  it  is  a fixed  principle  with  me,  that 
whatever  is  done  should  be  well  done.  Unless  this  maxim  is 
attended  to,  our  labor  is  but  in  vain,  and  our  expectation  of  a 
return,  is  always  deceptions ; whilst  we  are  ascribing  our  dis- 
appointments to  any  thing  rather  than  the  true  cause,  naiTily 
not  laying  (by  proper  preparations)  a good  foundation,  on 
which  to  build  our  hopes. — 

I observe  what  you  say  of  Betty  Davis  Ac^ — but  I never 
found  so  much  difficulty  as  you  seem  to  apprehend,  in  dis- 
tinguishing between  real  and  feigned  sickness  ; — or  when  a 
person  is  much  afflicted  with  pain. — Xobody  can  be  very  sick 
without  having  a fever,  nor  will  a fever  or  any  other  disorder 
continue  long  upon  any  one  without  reducing  them : — Pain 
also,  if  it  be  such  as  to  yield  entirely  to  its  force,  week  after 
week,  will  appear  by  its  effects ; but  my  people  (many  of 
them)  will  lay  up  a month,  at  the  end  of  which  no  visible 
change  in  their  countenance,  nor  the  loss  of  an  oz  of  flesh,  is 
discoverable ; and  their  allowance  of  provision  is  going  on  as 
if  nothing  ailed  them. — There  cannot,  surely,  be  any  real 
sickness  under  such  circumstances  as  I have  described ; nor 
ought  such  people  to  be  improperly  endulged. — It  should  be 
made  one  of  the  jprimary  duties  of  every  Overseer  to  attend 


176 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


closely,  and  particularly  to  those  under  his  care  who  really 
are,  or  pretend  to  be,  sick ; to  see  that  the  first  receive  aid 
and  comfort  in  time,  and  before  it  is  too  late  to  apply  them ; 
and  that  the  others  do  not  impose  upon  him.  In  the  first 
case  you  ought  to  be  immediately  notified,  as  delay  is  often 
dangerous ; and  in  the  second,  where  the  matter  is  at  all 
doubtful,  you  ought  to  be  the  judge,  for  I am  as  unwilling  to 
have  any  person,  in  my  service,  forced  to  work  when  they 
are  unable,  as  I am  to  have  them  skulk  from  it,  when  they 
are  fit  for  it. — 

It  is  highly  probable  Paul  has  left  the  parts  (by  water  or 
land) — If  Mr.  Dulany  is  disposed  to  pursue  any  measure  for 
the  purpose  of  recovering  his  man,  I will  join  him  in  the  ex- 
pence so  far  as  it  may  respect  Paul ; — but  I would  not  have 
my  name  appear  in  any  advertisement,  or  other  measure, 
leading  to  it. — 

Tell  the  Gardener,  when  he  dresses  the  Artichokes,  to  put 
up  a number  of  the  slips,  securely,  for  a Gentleman  of  my 
acquaintance  ; and  let  them  be  sent  by  the  first  vessel  after- 
wards, to  this  City. — 

I am  Your  friend  Ac*^ 

G®  AV ASIIINGTON. 


LXIII. 

Philadelphia  29^^  March  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  22^*  ins^  with  its  en- 
closures.— 

Had  Mr.  Pierce  Bailey  accepted  the  terms  on  which  I 
offered  him  my  land  on  difficult  run,  without  proposing  an 
abatement  of  interest,  after  I had  declared. I never  would 
lower  them,  the  bargain  would  have  been  concluded  on  my 
part. — As  he  did  not,  but  is  still  attempting  to  make  other 
terms,  I shall  suspend  saying  any  thing  further  on  the  sub- 


ANT)  MOUNT  VERNON. 


177 


ject  until  I come  to  Virginia  ; whicli,  if  nothing  unforeseen 
at  present,  intervenes,  will  be  by  the  20^^  of  April,  as  my 
intention  is  to  commence  my  journey  for  Mount  Vernon 
on  the  13^*^,  or  at  farthest,  the  14^**  of  that  month. — 1 shall 
be  better  able  to  decide  then,  than  now,  what  will  be  best 
for  me  to  do  in  this  matter. — Land  situated  as  that  of 
mine  is  on  Difficult,  with  the  advantages  attending  it,  is  in 
no  danger  of  falling  in  price,  when  all  the  circumjacent 
lands  are  rising  most  rapidly  in  theirs,  by  the  coming  of 
all  the  world  as  it  were  to  this  country  for  the  purpose  of 
buying  lands. 

I hear  with  concern,  of  the  injury  of  the  New  Meadow  at 
Dogue-run  has  sustained. — I had  great  expectation  from  it 
(knowing,  as  I do,  the  goodness  of  the  Soil) — If  you  have  Seed, 
let  the  parts  which  have  been  covered, — and  all  others  that  are 
too  thin,  be  re-sown ; and  a light  harrow,  or  roller,  run  over,  to 
bury  the  seed. — If  the  water  (in  freshes)  has  not  sufficient  vent 
at  the  bridge,  would  it  not  be  proper  to  widen  the  passage  at 
that  place? — It  is  a pity  to  subject  so  valuable  a meadow  as 
that  might  be  made,  to  such  disasters,  where  the  remedy  is 
at  hand,  and  not  difficult. — 

The  weather'  since  thursday  has  been  worse  than  at  any 
period  through  the  winfer : — what  effect  it  has  had,  or  may 
have  on  the  growing  grain  ; — the  grass ; — and  the  fields  which 
are  to  be  sown  and  planted  ; you,  much  better  than  I,  can  de- 
cide.— You  may  continue  to  write  me  as  usual,  informing  me 
of  these  things ; for  the  letters  that  do  not  come  here  before 
I set  out,  I shall  find  on  the  Eoad,  at  one  or  other  of  the  Post 
Offices. — 

If  Moses  at  the  Mill  is  of  sufficient  skill  for  the  purposes  of 
the  Garden,  I see  no  material  objection  to  his  being  placed 
there — indeed  with  so  little  Merchant  work  as  is  done  at  my 
Mill,  I never  saw  much  occasion  for  Mm  at  the  place. — for 
the  Miller  knows ^ that  by  his  agreement,  he  ought  to  be  Coop- 
ering himself,  when  he  is  not  employed  in  the  Mill ; — and  he 
12 


ITS 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


certainly  knows  too,  that  the  Mill  does  not  require  half  his 
time: — in  the  summer,  scarcely  any  of  it. — Hard  therefore 
would  it  be,  if  Jack  and  Tom,  with  such  occasional  aid  as 
himself  and  Ben  could  afford,  is  not  sufficient  to  keep  the  Mill 
in  Barrels. — 

I did  not  expect  Gray’s  rent  otherwise  be  received  than 
as  a credit  to  his  weaving  acc^ — If  this  is  done,  ’tis  suffi- 
cient.— 

I perceive  Isaac  is  still  employed  in  making  Ploughs,  whilst 
Donaldson  is  working  at  the  Carpenters  trade. — The  principal 
advantage  I expected  to  derive  from  the  latter,  was  the  char- 
acter he  had  of  being  skilled  in  making  of  these,  and  other 
impliments  of  husbandry ; and  the  insight  the  former  would 
get  by  attending  him  in  this  work. — 

I send  the  Gardener  a small  paper  of  Pease,  of  which  desire 
him  to  make  the’most  seed  he  can,  as  they  were  given  to  me 
for  a very  valuable  sort. — 

An  English  Gentleman,  of  family  and  fortune,  of  the  name 
of  Strickland,  from  whom  I received  the  Turnip  and  many 
other  seeds  which  were  forwarded  by  the  last  Vessel  from 
this  place,  will,  I expect,  be  at  Mount  Vernon  before  I shall. — 
If  this  should  hapen,  (and  he  will  have  a line  from  me  to  you) 
I request  you  to  treat  him  withall  the  attention  and  civility 
in  your  power. — He  is  a plain  man  in  his  dress  and  manners, 
and  being  a farmer,  may  wish  to  go  over  my  farms,  if  this 
should  be  the  case,  I request  you  to  ride  with  him  over  them.^ — 
As  I expect  you  have  (according  to  my  former  request)  got 
some  red  wine,  let  him  have  of  this,  and  some  of  that  kind  of 
Madeira  which  was  left  out  by  Mrs.  Fanny  Washington. — 


* Mr.  William  Strickland  brought  Washington  his  diploma  as  Honorary 
Member  of  the  English  Board  of  Agriculture,  concerning  which  Washing- 
ton wrote  the  interesting  letter  to  Landon  Carter,  published  in  Appendix 
L.  Concerning  Strickland,  Washington  wrote  to  Sir  John  Sinclair,  “ Noth- 
ing has,  I believe,  escaped  his  observation  that  meritted  attention.”  For  a 
letter  to  Strickland  see  Sparks,  xii.  p.  329. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


179 


AVhether  you  have  Porter  in  tlie  house,  or  not,  I am  unable 
to  say  ; but  I desire  it  may  be  there,  as  well  for  him.  as 
against  I come  home. — 

I wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend 

AVAsnix(;ToN. 


LXIV. 

Philadelphia  April  1 795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I perceive  by  your  last  report — enclosed  in  your  letter  of 
the  29*^^  ult® — that  Carter  Ben,*  at  River  farm,  has  been  laid 
up  many  weeks ; with  a person  to  attend  him,  the  whole 
time. — What  is  the  nature  of  his  complaint? — When  these 
extraordinary  cases  happen,  let  the  report  respecting  tliem, 
say  what  the  cause  is ; — without  which,  and  at  this  distance 
from  the  scene,  it  is  not  easy  for  me  to  conjecture  even  wliat 
the  matter  is. — 

Whether  would  it  be  best  to  let  the  lot  at  Mansion  house 
(intended  for  Lucern)  remain  a naked  fallow^  stirring  the 
ground  now  and  then  until  seeding  time,  or  plant  it  early  with 
Potatoes  (which  may  be  taken  off  by,  or  early  in  August)  ? — 
The  last, manured,"  would  be  productive;  and  cul- 
tivated, would  prepare  the  ground  for  the  Lucern  which  is  to 
follow. — I leave  it  to  you  to  do  the  one,  or  the  other,  as  from 
circumstances  shall  appear  best. — If  the  Potatoe  plan  is  pre- 
ferred, let  part  (and  not  the  best  part,  but  every  other  row 
for  instance)  be  planted  with  the  shoots,  as  directed  in  the 
Pamphlet  I gave  you  the  reading  of  last  year ; and  which  I 
believe  was,  tho’  not  effectually,  by  the  Gardener,  tried  last 
year. — I have  promised  to  make  the  experiment  accurately^ 
and  wish  you  to  attend  to  it  accordingly ; either  on  the  ground 
just  ment*^  or  some  other. 

’ So  called  from  having  been  purchased  or  hired  from  one  of  the  Carter 
family  : e.g, , French  Paul,  etc. 


ISO 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I am  sorry  for  the  impediments  you  have  met  with  from 
the  weather,  in  sowing  your  Oats  ; — but  over  this  there  is  no 
controul ; and  nothing  for  us  remains  but  submission. — I 
have  only  to  repeat  on  this  head,  that  I had  rather  encounter 
delay,  than  not  sow  when  the  ground  is  in  prime  order  for 
it. — 

As  all  danger  from  frost  must  now  be  over,  your  winter 
grain  will  have  assumed  its  spring  appearance  (since  vegita- 
tion  is  advancing  rapidly,  also) — and  what  is  the  appearance 
of  your  different  fields  ? Do  not  neglect  the  Holler,  if  you 
can  apply  it  to  any  advantage  ; — and  this  I am  sure  it  will, 
not  only  to  the  grain  (the  roots  of  which  have  been  thrown 
out  of  the  ground)  but  to  grass  also  ; especially  clover,  if  you 
are  in  condition  to  use  it. 

You  know  how  much  a friend  I am,  to  cutting  small  grain 
before  it  is  suffered  to  get  too  ripe. — The  enclosed  advertise- 
ment carries  the  matter  farther  than  I sh*^  incline  to  risque  a 
quantity  ; but  the  ascertainment  of  so  important  a fact  is  well 
worth  risking  an  acre  or  two,  and  it  is  my  wish  that  it  should 
be  done ; — at  the  same  time  that  I would  have  the  ivhole  har- 
vest begun  at  an  earlier  period  than  is  usual,  with  most 
farmers. 

I hope  the  Honey  locust  seed  are  in  the  ground ; that  they 
may  vegitate  and  get  above  ground  before  the  weather  may 
become  hot  and  dry. — 

I had  no  other  objection  to  the  advertising  of  Paul  than 
that  of  having  my  name  appear  therein  ; — at  least  in  any 
papers  North  of  Virginia:  and  that  he  has  not  gone  South  of 
it,  is  natural  to  infer,  if  he  was  governed  by  motives  of  policy, 
or  by  advice. — 

I still  expect  to  be  with  you  about  the  time  mentioned  in 
my  last,  and  therefore  shall  only  add  that 

I am — Your  friend  &c^ 

Washingtox. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


l.Sl 


LXV. 

Pliiladelphia  12*^^  April  1705. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Yoiir  letter  of  the  5^^,  with  its  enclosures,  I received  yes- 
terday.— 

I propose  to  commence  my  journey  for  !Monnt  Vernon 
tomorrow — but  as  the  road  through  Maryland,  by  informa- 
tion, is  almost  impassible,  and  business  will  detain  me  a day 
or  two  at  the  federal  city,  I do  not  expect  to  reach  hoine  be- 
fore  Sunday  (this  day  week). — 

This  being  the  case,  my  letter  will  be  short ; I shall  add 
however,  that  I was,  as  you  supposed,  under  a mistake  with  re- 
spect to  the  meadow  which  has  been  injured  by  the  freshes. — 
Be  this  however  as  it  may,  the  injured  parts  should  be  re- 
sown ; and  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  in  order  for  it,  if  you 
have  seed  to  do  it ; which  is  the  reason  of  my  mentioning  it 
now,  to  avoid  delay. — If  that,  or  the  other  meadows,  was  once 
well  taken  with  Timothy,  floods  would  not  wash  of  [f]  the  soil, 
nor  in  other  respects  be  injurious. 

I am  friend 

'Washington. 

Monday  morning — 13^^  April. — The  day  is  storming  I shall 
wait  therefore  until  it  ceases  before  I set  out. 


LXVI. 

Philadelphia  May  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I arrived  in  this  city  on  Saturday  at  noon — about  which 
time  I rec*^  your  letter  of  the  29^^  ult®. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  hear  that  your  grain  and  grass  have 
benefitted  by  the  late  rains. — As  both  are  liable  to  great 
changes  from  the  viscissitudes  of  weather,  mention  every 


182 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


week  what  the  then  appearance  of  the  fields  and  meadows  are  ; 
particular  whether  any  grain  is  to  be  expected  from  the  in- 
jured parts  of  the  Wheat  fields — especially  from  those  in 
N®  5 at  Union  farm — and  whether  the  new  sown  grass  in  the 
Mill  Meadow  is  coming  on  well. — 

Let  the  flour  in  the  Mill  be  inspected ; and  all  that  will  not, 
or  with  difficulty,  pass  inspection,  be  disposed  of  for  the  most 
you  can  get ; — I was  going  to  add — keep  that  that  is  good, 
until  you  could  hear  further  from  me — but  as  the  quantity  at 
any  rate  will  be  small,  you  may  as  well  let  the  whole  go,  and 
deposit  the  money  in  the  Bank  of  Alex. — If  no  danger  was 
to  be  apprehended  from  keeping  it  on  hand,  I believe  from 
the  scarcity  in  Europe,  and  great  demand  for  this  article,  one 
might  command  their  own  price. 

I am — Your  friend 

G°  Washington. 

P.S. 

I expected  the  fishery  was  nearly  over  when  I left  Mt. 
Yernon. — I intended,  but  forgot  when  I was  at  Mount  Ver- 
non, to  measure  the  size  of  the  picture  frames  in  the  parloui-; 
which  contains  my  picture — Mrs.  Washingtons — and  the  two 
child“  ‘ — I wish  you  to  do  it,  and  send  me  the  account  in  your 
next  letter. — Measure  the  frames  (I  believe  they  are  all  of  a 
size)  from  out  to  out ; — and  then  on  the  inside,  where  they 
show  the  Canvas,  or  picture. — 


LXYII. 

Philadelphia  10^^  May  1795. 

Your  letter  of  the  3^  insP,  with  the  Reports  of  the  pre- 
ceeding  week,  was  received  yesterday ; and  I am  glad  to  find 
by  it  that  the  Wheat  and  grass  continues  to  mend — I hope 
the  warm  days  we  have  had,  and  the  showers  of  rain  (if  they 


' Eleanor  and  G.  W.  P.  Custis. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


1S3 


liave  extended  to  you)  have  also  brouglit  on  tlie  Oats. — It  is 
Iiigh  time  they  were  advancing,  if  much  is  to  be  expected 
from  them. — 

Considering  the  quality  of  my  flour  this  year,  and  the 
smalness  of  the  quantity,  1 am  very  well  satisfied  that  you 
have  got  it  off  your  hands  at  the  prices  it  sold ; altho’  Hour  at 
this  market  is  at  12  dollars  a barrel  and  rising. — In  short,  the 
scarcity  of  this  article  in  Europe,  and  demand  for  it ; — added, 
to  the  failure  of  the  last  wheat  crop  in  this  Country  will  enable 
the  holders  to  get  any  price  they  please. — Let  me  know  the 
quantity  of  Midlings  and  Ship-stuff  you  disposed  of. — And 
tell  Davenport  to  make  out,  and  to  have  sent  to  me,  the  Mill 
acc*^  for  last  year,  that  I may  see  what  AVheat  has  gone  into, 
and  what  flour  has  come  out  of,  the  Mill. — I have  no  reason 
to  suspect  that  Davenport  is  otherwise  than  an  honest  man  ; 
but  regular  and  fair  acc^  should  be  stated,  and  rendered  by 
all  Men. — In  doing  this  with  him,  the  Overseers  acc^^  of  the 
Wheat  sent  to,  and  his  of  what  is  received  in  the  Mill,  should 
agree  ; — so  likewise  ought  his  charges  of  the  flour.  Bran  Ac*^ 
sent  to  Mansion  house,  the  Overseers,  Ac*^  to  agree  with 
what  is  reported  and  credited. — This  being  done,  and  added 
to  the  different  kinds  of  flour  that  are  sold,  and  the  shorts 
and  Bran  used,  will  (aecounting  also  for  the  Toll  AVheat)  show 
the  state  of  the  Manufacturing  business — which  is  not  only 
satisfactory,  but  absolutely  necessary  ; — for  I strongly  suspect, 
notwithstanding  it  w'ould  appear  by  the  experim*^®  which  have 
been  made  of  an  hundred  bushels  that  the  balance  is  in 
favor  of  flour, — that  the  case  is  otherwise  on  the  a^srresate 
quantity  which  is  ground. — That  it  is  so  this  year,  can  admit 
of  no  doubt ; — it  would  be  inconceivable  otherwise  that  the 
[torn]  of  my  last  years  crop  of  Wheat,  and  [torn]  that  of  the 
year  before,  should  yield  only  [torn]  barr^^  of  flour,  besides 
what  was  consumed  in  the  family. — 

If  the  boy  at  the  Mill  is  to  go  into  the  Garden,  at  Mansion 
house,  the  sooner  it  happens  the  better  ; — and  I really  (con- 


1S4 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


sidering  the  little  work  my  Mill  does)  see  no  reason  why  he 
should  not. — I am  sorry  to  find  by  your  last  reports  that 
there  has  been  two  deaths  in  the  family  since  I left  Mount 
Vernon ; — and  one  of  them  a young  fellow. — I hope  every 
necessary  care  and  attention  was  afforded  him. — I expect  little 
of  this  from  M®Koy, — or  indeed  from  most  of  his  class ; for 
they  seem  to  consider  a Negro  much  in  the  same  light  as  they 
do  the  brute  beasts,  on  the  farms ; and  often  times  treat  them 
as  inhumanly.' — 

If  I recollect  rightly,  it  appears  in  some  of  the  weekly 
reports,  that  Posts  and  rails  were  getting  at  Dogue-run  to 
inclose  the  Barn  yard  at  that  place. — I forgot  when  I was  at 
home,  and  on  the  spot  with  you,  to  fix  on  the  manner  of  do- 
ing it. — I once  pointed  out  my  plans  [?]  to  Green  and.  Davis, 
and  I think  to  M®Koy,  but  little  attention  seems  to  have  been 
paid  to  these  things  afterwards  by  either  of  them. — To  the 
best  of  my  recollection,  it  was  intended  to  run,  from  each  end 
of  the  sheds,  a Post  and  rail  to  the  railing  leading  into  the 
Barn,  or  treading  floor  of  it,  for  the  stable  yard  ; — on  one  side 
of  which  to  have  a gate,  through  wdiich  to  pass  into  the  yard 
which  incloses  the  Barn  on  the  other  sides  and  intoN°5  also ; 
— then  back  of  the  two  sheds  at  sufficient  distances  therefrom 
allowing  full  room  to  receive  the  litter,  dung,  &c^  from  the 
Stables,  to  run  Post  and  Bail  fences  from  the  lane  South  of 
the  Barn,  to  the  fence  of  N°  5,  which  is  back  of  the  lots. — 


> Rev.  Dr.  McGuire,  for  many  years  rector  of  St.  George’s  Church,  Fred- 
ericksburg, who  married  a daughter  of  Robert  Lewis,  Washington’s  nephew, 
relates:  “Returning  to  his  house  one  day,  from  a ride  over  his  farm,  he 
[Washington]  found  his  overseer  in  the  act  of  chastising  severely  one  of  his 
servants.  Indignant  at  the  sight  as  being  in  the  mode  or  degree  contrary 
to  his  orders,  he  dismounted  hastily,  and  advancing  towards  the  overseer 
with  his  horsewhip  in  his  hand,  the  affrighted  man  retired  towards  the 
fence,  exclaiming,  ‘Remember  your  character,  General,  remember  your 
character ! ’ The  General  immediately  stopped,  and  reprimanding  him  for 
disobeying  his  commands,  admonished  him  to  beware  of  again  correcting  liis 
people  in  a manner  so  cruel.” — The  Itdigious  Opiniona  and  Character  of 
Washi?igton,  Ed.  1836,  p,  400. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


185 


Fences  run  straight,  in  the  manner  here  described,  and  at 
sufficient  distances  from  the  back  parts  of  the  sheds  or  stables, 
would  afford  ample  room  for  the  grain  in  stacks; — and  I 
believe  it  would  be  sufficiently  capacious  also  for  cow  yards, 
but  it  would  have  a bad  exposure  ; and  besides,  is  in  low 
ground ; therefore  a yard,  or  yards  for  this  purpose  (cattle  and 
Sheep)  might  adjoin  (one  on  each  side  the  Stable  yard)  the 
Lane  between  3 and  the  lots — and  the  Stable  yard  fences ; 
as  will  appear  more  distinctly  in  the  sketch  enclosed. 

The  number  of  Bricks  which  will  be  required  for  the  Barn 
ill  the  Neck  (Biver  farm)  will  fall  very  little  short  of  140,000 
of  those  that  are  sound  and  good,  as  you  will  see  by  the  calcu- 
lation herewith. — And  that  no  other  than  hard  [torn]  bricks 
may  be  put  into  the  Walls,  letting  it  as  soon  as  it  is  burnt, 
and  cool,  be  immediately  taken  down  and  the— [remainder  of 
letter  missing]. 


LXYIII. 

Philadelphia  24*^^  May  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  duly  received  your  letter,  and  the  reports  of  the 
instant. — ^ 

The  enclosed  sketches,  will  give  my  ideas  so  fully,  of  the 
Barn,  proposed  to  be  built  at  Biver  farm,  as  to  leave  me 
scarcely  anything  to  add  to  it. — If  2 Inch  (white  oak)  plank, 
is  thought  sufficient  for  the  threshing  floor  of  the  Barn,  I do 
not  want  it  to  be  got  any  thicker ; — and  if  Inch  and  quarter 
(Pine)  plank,  is  thick  enough  for  the  lower  floor  of  the  grain- 
eries,  I do  not  wish  it  to  be  more. — Inch  Plank  is  fully  ade- 
quate to  the  floors  over  them,  to  support  the  grain  in  the 
straw. — 

I mention  these  things  now,  that  the  Oak  plank  may  be 
sawed  as  soon  as  you  are  able  to  do  it,  that  there  may  be  time 
for  it  to  season  ; and  that  the  Pine  plank  may  be  got  with- 


1S6 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


out  delay,  not  only  for  the  same  purpose,  but  for  security  of 
the  Bricks  also,  before  they  are  burned. — Of  the  oak  plank, 
it  will  require  for  the  threshing  floor,  30  feet  square,  900  feet 
when  laid  ; — allowance  for  waste  must  be  made. — For  the 
lower  floor  of  the  graineries,  the  like  quantity  of  IJ  (if  that 
is  the  thickness  resolved  on)  with  the  like  allowance  for  waste, 
will  be  required. — And  for  the  upper  floor  of  the  graineries 
precisely  the  same ; — But  as  the  pine  plank  wdll  waste  more 
than  the  oak  ; — is  more  liable  to  be  stolen — and  besides  will 
sustain  injury  in  the  Brick  yard;  and  moreover  may  be  want- 
ing for  a variety  of  uses  in  the  building ; — you  had  better  lay 
in  1500  or  two  thousand  feet  of  each  sort,  at  once. — And  I 
would  have  you  enquire  of  those  (who  deal  in  that  way)  on 
what  terms  they  would  deliver  at  one  of  my  landings,  shingles 
of  the  following  dimensions — viz — 3 feet, — 2 feet, — and  18 
Inches  ; specifying  the  width,  and  thickness  of  each,  they 
will  warrant  them  to  average. — When  you  furnish  mo  with 
this  account  I shall  be  better  able  to  decide  on  the  kind  of 
covering  to  bestow  on  the  building,  and  the  sort,  and  number 
of  nails  it  will  require. — Of  the  last,  I find  they  can  be  had 
in  this  city  on  better  terms  than  in  Alexandria ; and  of  course 
will  be  sent  from  hence. — 

The  body  of  the  Barn  (as  you  always  understood,  independ- 
ant of  the  sheds)  is  to  be  60  feet  long,  and  30  feet  wide. — 
I have  allowed  12  feet  sheds  only,  which  I conceive  is  suffi- 
cient, as  the  Backs  and  Mangers  will  be  close  to  the  wall 
(and  not  as  those  are  at  Union  farm) — and  in  case  I should 
not  think  of  it  at  the  time  they  are  about,  let  the  latter  be 
dug  out  of  the  solid  wood. — Such  will  last  as  long  as  the  wood 
itself  does,  whilst  those  made  of  plank,  however  thick,  are 
soon  coming  a sunder  ; — wasting  the  grain  ; — and  requiring 
repairs. — 

What  sort  of  Clay  is  found  where  you  are  making  bricks? — 
Desire  Mr.  Stuart  to  keep  a regular  acc*^  of  the  number  that 
are  made — or  (as  has  been  the  case  before)  hundreds  will  be 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


187 


magnified  into  thousands ; — and  deception  follow  of  course. — 
It  is  highly  necessary  too,  that  he  should  have  an  eye  to  the 
tempering,  and  beating  the  clay  well  before  it  is  moulded  ; — 
for  on  this  the  goodness  of  the  bricks  depend  ; — especially  as 
it  was  not  exposed  to  the  frosts  of  last  winter. — 

I think  as  you  do,  that  the  Oak  plank,  and  all  the  scantling, 
ought  to  be  got  off  my  own  land  ; — but  this  is  not  to  with  hold 
the  Carpenters,  or  any  others,  from  the  Harvest  field,  when 
their  services  are  required  there. — In  time,  be  laying  shells  in, 
or  you  will  meet  with  disappointment. — Did  you  ever  enquire 
particularly  into  the  character  of  the  carpenter  who  built  Mrs. 
Peak’s  Barn  ? — If  so,  what  was  the  result? 

I find  I was  mistaken,  respecting  Posts  and  Bails  for  the 
farm  yard  at  Dogue-run. — The  sketch  of  one — sent  you  in  a 
former  letter,  may  be  preserved  notwithstanding — it  will  serve 
wiien  they  are  provided. — 

If  you  hav^e  transplanted  any  of  the  Honey  locust  plants  (in 
the  manner  before  directed)  and  find  they  succeed,  continue 
the  practice  as  long  as  the  season  will  allow’  it. — I send  a book 
for  your  perusal  betw’een  this  and  my  next  visit  to  Mount 
Vernon,  wiiicli  contains  many  useful  experiments,  and  ob- 
servations on  Hedging  &c*^. — At  that  time  it  may  be  returned 
to  me  after  information  is  got  from  it.  (This  book  is  written 
by  a man  of  established  character — of  course,  except  what 
may  proceed  from  difference  of  climate  is  to  be  depended 
upon — and  followed  by  us.) — 

A bundle  of  Pekan,  or  Illinois  nuts  is  also  sent ; which  de- 
sire the  gardener  to  plant  along  with  those  I sent  him  some 
time  ago. — These  are  fresh,  and  I have  no  doubt  will  come 
up. — Enclosed  likewise,  is  the  copy  of  a list  of  Plants  which 
w^ere  sent  by  a Gentlemen  of  Jamaica  to  Norfolk,  for  me. — If 
they  should  have  been  forwarded  to  Mount  Vernon  desire 
Elher  to  pay  particular  attention  to  them. — 

Let  DocP  Craik,  if  he  has  not  already  done  it,  examine  the 
case  of  Cooper  Jack  and  prescribe  the  needful  for  him.— No 


1S8 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


report  of  Carpenters  work  was  among  the  enclosures  of  your 
last  letter. — I am 

Your  friend 

G°  Washington. 


LXIX. 

Philadelphia  31®*^  May  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  quite  surprized  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  in- 
stant (which  with  the  Reports  came  duly  to  hand)  that  your 
crops  had  stood  in  need  of  Rain. — There  has  been  no  three 
days  together  without  it,  at  this  place,  since  I arrived  here  ; 
and  some  times  for  whole  days  and  nights,  with  little  or  no 
intermission. — 

The  exhausted  state  of  Provisions  (bread)  in  Europe  ; — the 
demand  for  flour  there ; — and  the  bad  prospect  for  grain 
where  most  of  it  was  usually  grown,  leaves  not  a doubt  but 
that  every  thing  of  the  bread  kind,  or  substitutes  for  it,  will 
bear  a high  price  in  autumn. — Some  time  ago  I recommended 
it  to  you  to  plant  a good  many  Potatoes — this  I repeat,  and 
wish  also  that  you  w*^  lay  yourself  out  for  more  Buck  wheat 
than  usual  for  a crop. — 1 have  heard  much  of  the  white 
(homony)  Bean  as  being  very  productive,  and  a ready  sale  : — 
suppose  you  were  to  devote  an  acre  of  Corn  ground  to  this 
purpose,  to  see  what  the  yield  would  be: — or,  if  they  would 
do  without  something  to  run  upon,  and  support  them,  to  plant 
an  acre  or  two  without  Corn,  in  6 at  Union  farm ; by  the 
side  of  the  Corn  you  cultivate  in  that  field. — 

Cut  the  forward  Wheat  in  good  season,  and  save  all  for 
Seed. — DocP  Stuart  thinks  it  more  subject  to  weavil  than  the 
common  wheat ; — If  so,  you  will  judge  whether  it  can  best  be 
preserved  from  them  in  stacks  or  otherwise,  and  do  with  it  as 
shall  seem  best  to  you. — 

How  does  the  honey  locust  stand  transplanting  ? — If  well, 
follow  it  up  as  long  as  the  season  will  answer. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


181) 


Tlie  Gardener  does  not,  I perceive,  take  any  notice  of  the 
boy  in  his  report. — this  he  ought  to  do. 

lias  no  remedy  been  discovered  for  the  disorder  in  horses  i 
— If  1 should  loose  my  riongli  horses — or  even  have  them 
rendered  unfit  for  work,  it  will  be  unfortunate. — 

1 am  Your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G®  Washington. 


LXX. 


Philadelphia  7^^  June  1705. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  31®*^  of  last  month,  enclosing  the  weekly 
reports,  came  duly  to  hand — ^}’esterday. — 

Let  the  person  who  is  to  supply  you  with  plank  and 
Shingles,  have  the  precise  length  of  the  first  given  to  him, 
that  it  may  not  waste  in  cutting. — This  length  you  will  be 
able  to  ascertain  from  knowing  the  uses  for  which  it  is  in- 
tended ; and  by  consulting  the  plan  which  1 sent  you. — The 
plank  for  the  lower  floor  of  the  Graneries,  as  1 mentioned  at 
first,  ought,  I have  no  doubt,  to  be  of  Inch  and  half  stuff ; 
and  if  the  floors  above  them,  were  of  Inch  and  quarter  pine, 
they  would  not  be  the  worse  for  it. — Care  too  slP  be  taken 
that  the  shingles  are  of  the  dimensions  (both  in  length,  and 
the  average  width)  that  is  agreed  for ; — nothing  being  more 
common  of  late  than  to  contract  for  18  inch  shingles,  and  give 
those  of  not  more  than  16  inches, — and  in  that  proportion 
with  respect  to  the  two,  and  three  feet  shingles : — which  is  an 
unjustifiable  imposition,  as  more  nails,  as  well  as  more  shingles, 
are  consequently  required. — 

Are  the  Cabbins  at  River  and  Union  farms  all  removed,  as 
were  intended  ? — I ask  because  I have  seen  work  of  this  sort 
reported,  but  know  not  if  it  be  compleated. — 

I wish  you  could  find  out  the  thief  who  robbed  the  Meat 
liouse  at  Mount  Yernon,  and  bring  him  to  punishment. — And 


190 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


at  the  same  time  secure  the  house  against  future  attempts ; — 
for  our  drafts  upon  it  will  be  pretty  large,  I expect,  when  we 
come  home  ; — w^^^  probably  may  be  about  the  middle  or  20^^ 
of  next  month. — Nathan  has  been  suspected,  if  not  detected, 
in  an  attempt  of  this  sort  formerly ; and  is  as  likely  as  any 
one  to  be  guilty  of  it  now. — Postilion  Joe  has  been  caught  in 
similar  practices ; — and  Sam,  I am  sure  would  not  be  re- 
strain [ed]  by  any  qualms  of  conscience,  if  he  saw  an  opening 
to  do  the  like. — 

I am  Your  friend  <tc^ 

G®  AV A8IIINGT0N. 


LXXI. 

Philadelphia  June  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  instant,  and  the  AVeekly  reports,  were 
received  yesterday. — On  AVednesday  night,  thursday,  and  part 
of  friday,  we  had  a great  deal  of  rain  in  this  city,  and  as  it 
appeared  to  be  general,  I hope  you  partook  of  it. — If  the  Corn 
is  not  destroyed  by  the  insect  you  complain  of,  I do  not  de- 
spair (on  account  of  its  backwardness)  of  making  a good  crop, 
yet. — It  is  in  the  months  of  July  and  August  that  this  crop 
is  to  be  made,  or  marred,  by  seasonable,  or  unseasonable 
weather. — 

It  is  fortunate  that  the  distemper  among  the  horses  have 
ceased  that  you  may  keep  it  clean  and  in  order  for  AYh*^ — it 
would  have  been  a heavy  stroke,  if  they  had  been  rendered 
unfit  for  use  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year,  even  if  they  had 
not  died  with  it. — 

Are  you  selling  Hay  in  Alexandria,  that  for  several  weeks 
passed  I perceive  the  AVaggon  has  been  employed  in  trans- 
porting it  thither  ? — If  so,  what  do  you  get  for  it  ? — and  how 
much  will  you,  or  have  you,  disposed  of. — 

Let  Mr.  Halley  know  that  I am  not  inclined  to  reduce  my 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


191 


lot  in  Alexandria  without  first  viewing  tlie  part  lie  wants  for 
an  allay ; and  comparing  the  advantages,  and  disadvantages 
together ; — then,  if  no  inconvenience  will  result  to  me,  and 
the  price  to  be  given,  is  adequate  to  the  real  value,  according 
to  a judgment  from  circumstances ; I may,  though  I do  not 
chuse  to  be  under  any  engagement,  suffer  ten  feet  to  be  taken 
off  for  the  purpose  designated  in  your  letter — viz — an  allay. — 
Enclosed  I send  you  a Newspaper  containing  some  ideas  on 
the  culture  of  Potatoes  ; — on  the  different  kinds  ; — and  on  the 
manner  of  ^Making  them  into  bread. — It  comes  from  the  best 
board  of  Agriculture  in  England,  and  may  be  worth  attending 
to. 

I am  your  friend  Ac^ 

G*’  AVasiiinoton. 

P.  S. 

By  the  'last  Post,  I received  the  enclosed  letter  from  James 
Butler  ; I wish  you  to  let  him  know  (and  as  soon  as  you  con- 
veniently can,  that  he  may  be  under  no  mistake  in  the  case) 
that  he  must  look  to  those  who  placed  him  where  he  is — (if 
they  think  him  qualified  for  the  Office — ) for  his  money ; not 
a copper  will  he  receive  immediately  from  me. — I allow  £50 
p*"  annum  to  the  Academy  iu  Alexandria  for  the  purpose  of 
instructing  the  childjzen  of  poor  persons  who  are  unable  to  be 
at  that  expence  themselves ; but  I have  nothing  to  do  with 
providing,  or  paying  the  Master  who  is  employed  for  that  pur- 
pose.— This  is  left  to  the  Trustees  of  the  School,  and  I wish 
it  may  be  found  that  my  donation  is  as  benificially  applied  as 
my  intention  in  bestowing  of  it,  has  been  good. — Whether 
the  Rev*^  Mr.  Muir  (to  whom  the  money  has  usually  been 
paid)  has  any  particular  agency  in  the  business,  or  not,  I am 
unable  to  say ; but  wish  you  to  shew  him  Butlers  letter  on 
this  subject  and  let  me  know  what  he  says  to  the  applica- 
tion.— 

Y ours 

G.  AY . 


192 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


LXXIL 

Philadelphia  21®*'  June  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  IP*^  instant  with  the  lleports  were  re- 
ceived yesterday. — 

I am  sorry  the  rain  you  were  wishing  for,  should  have 
come  attended  with  the  disasters  your  letter  represents; — but 
to  these  it  is  our  duty  to  submit. — I never  repine  at  acts  of 
Providence,  because  I always  suppose,  however  adverse  they 
may  be  to  our  wishes,  they  are  always  for  the  best.’ — Let  the 
place  of  the  young  mule,  that  was  killed,  be  supplied  in  the 
best  manner  the  stock  of  them  will  afford. — 

I hope  the  shells  you  engaged  were  of  what  they  call  live 
shells. — Those  from  the  bank,  if  not  well  cleansed,  are  so 
mixed  with  dirt  as  to  make  very  weak  lime. — As  to  the  price, 
I do  not  expect  to  get  them  for  less  than  others  give. — Of 
course  they  must  be  landed  at  the  Mansion  house  on  acc*^  of 
burning  them  (to  the  best  advantage,  and  with  the  least  waste) 
in  the  Kiln  made  for  this  purpose. — 

I think  it  would  be  proper  to  fill  in,  between  the  logs  of 
the  Cabbins,  as  soon,  and  as  fast  as  circumstances  will  admit ; 
that  the  clay  may  get  dry  before  cool  weather  approaches. — 
Damp  walls,  are  very  apt  to  give  Pheumatic  complaints. — 
This  filling  may  be  done  as  well  before,  as  after  the  Cabbins 
are  covered. — 

I hope  your  crop  of  Wheat,  as  the  prospect  when  you  wrote 
was  tolerable,  and  the  almost  certainty  of  the  high  prices  con- 
tinuing, will  meet  with  no  diminution  now  from  either  the 
scab  or  rust. — If  it  had  shed  its  blossom  before  the  heavy 
rain,  and  was  free  from  the  Scab  at  the  date  of  your  letter,  I 
think  that  it  wod.  receive  no  injury  from  it  afterwards  ; — and 


* Appendix  G. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


103 


as  the  rain  and  tliick  weather  was  attended  by  wind,  and  was 
also  cool,  I hope  it  is  free  from  the  llust  likewise. — 

Whenever  yon  have  leisure  to  do  it,  it  would  be  serviceable 
by  way  of  stopping  the  progress  of  that  gully  at  the  mouth 
of  the  lane,  at  ^Mansion  house — and  indeed  all  others — to 
drive  stakes  across  and  wattle  them  at  different  distances,  to 
catch  and  retain  the  trash  that  is  swept  down  with  the  tor- 
rent.— They  also  serv’e  to  break  the  force  of  the  water  ; and 
by  degrees,  with  other  assistance,  fill  them  up. — The  gullies 
1 mean. — Without  these  obstructions,  the  descending  water 
from  very  heavy  rains  sweep  all  before  it, 

1 am  Your  friend  &c‘ 

G®  AVasiiington. 


LXXIII. 


Philadelphia  5^^  July  1795. 

^Ir.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  2S^^,  with  the  enclosed  reports,  was  duly 
received. — 

I think  it  very  likely  that  I shall  commence  my  journey 
for  Mount  Yernon  about  the  middle  of  this  month — but  as 
business  may  detain  me  a few  days  longer  than  I expect,  I 
will  not  speak  positively  at  this  time. — In  my  next,  I shall,  I 
hope,  be  able  to  name  the  day  I shall  leave  the  city. — But  let 
not  this  prevent  your  writing  as  usual,  as  I shall  meet  the 
letter  on  the  road,  if  it  does  not  arrive  here,  before  I set 
out. — 

If  the  dormant  windows  are  not  put  in,  on  each  side  of  the 
Pediment,  front  side  of  the  stable,  I could  wish  (if  it  does  not 
interfere  with  the  more  important  work  of  Donaldson)  that 
it  might  be  set  about ; it  would  not  only  add  to  the  look  of 
the  building,  but  the  grain  and  hay  both,  would  derive  bene- 
fit from  the  air  it  w"^  receive  from  those  windows ; — as  would 
the  Stables,  if  the  back  dormant  windows  could  be  compleated 
13 


194 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


on  the  range  with  those  already  in,  and  of  the  same  size,  and 
appearance. 

Davy’s  lost  lambs,  carry  with  them  a very  suspicions  ap- 
pearance ; — and  it  will  be  to  be  regretted,  if  he  betakes  him- 
self to  Rogueries  of  that  sort; — for  in  that  case,  nothing  will 
escape,  if  he  can  avoid  detection  ; and  grain  wdll  be  less  liable 
to  it  than  animals. — If  the  lambs  has  been  poisoned,  or  had 
died  a natural  death,  or  their  deaths  had  been  occasioned  by 
any  accident,  their  bones  would  have  been  forth  coming,  and 
his  not  being  able  to  produce  them,  is  an  argument  both  of  his 
guilt,  and  of  his  not  expecting  to  be  called  upon  for  that  evi- 
dence of  the  truth  of  his  assertion,  and  fair  dealing. — This 
circumstance  will  make  it  necessary  to  watch  him  a little 
closer. — lie  has  some  very  sly,  cunning  and  roguish  negroes 
under  him  ; among  whom  none  has  a greater  disposition  to  be 
so,  or  who  he  can  make  a more  useful  agent  of,  than  Nathan ; 
his  mother  and  father. — 

How,  when  the  Manufacturing  season  is  over,  or  the  water 
is  scarce,  is  Ben  at  the  Mill  employed? — Surely  the  Miller 
(who  ought  himself  under  these  circumstances  to  be  employed 
in  Coopering)  does  not  keep  him  in  the  Mill  merely  to  save 
himself  the  trouble  of  taking  ofF,  and  pulling  on  a few  bags  of 
grist,  in  the  week. — I have  often  intended  to  enquire  into  this 
matter ; but  always,  at  the  time  of  writing,  forgot  to  do  it. — 

AVhat  .is  the  matter  with  Ruth  and  Ben,  (not  the  Ben  that 
cut  himself)  at  River  farm,  that  week  after  week  they  are  re- 
turned sick  ? — The  first  of  them,  Ruth,  has  been  aiming,  for 
sometime,  to  get  herself  excused  from  work. — More  than  they 
are  able  to  do  in  reason,  I do  not  expect ; — but  I have  no  idea 
of  their  being  totally  exempted,  whilst  work  proportioned,  and 
adapted  to  their  strength  and  situation,  can  be  found  for 
them. — The  example  is  bad,  and  will  be  too  readily  (as  is  the 
case  at  present  with  several  more  of  them)  attempted  ; if, 
under  the  plea  of  pains,  &c*  &c^  they  find  they  can  carry  their 
point. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


105 


I am  sorry  to  hear  you  are  indisposed,  and  that  Groves  is 
ill — 1 hope  this  letter  will  tind  you  both  recovered. — 

I am  Your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


LX  XIV. 

Charlestown  [Va]  Aug‘  1705. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  day  before  I left  home,  I rode  by  the  field  at  Dogue- 
run  called  Davy’s  field — and  intended  to  have  had  some  further 
conversation  with  you  on  the  subject  of  a second  AVheat  field 
at  that  place  this  seeding  time  ; but  the  suddenness  of  my  de- 
parture prevented  it.’ — 


• The  President  liad  left  Philadelphia  for  Mount  Vernon  on  July  15.  On 
July  26  the  British  Minister  revealed  to  Mr.  Wolcott,  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, an  intercepted  letter  of  the  French  Minister,  Fauchet,  which,  ap- 
parently, involved  the  Secretary  of  State  (Edmund  Randolph)  whose  side 
Washington  had  taken,  in  refusing  an  unconditional  signature  to  the  British 
Treaty — in  opposition  to  the  rest  of  the  Cabinet.  The  opponents  of  Ran- 
dolph, without  his  knowledge  of  the  cause,  insisted  on  summoning  Wash- 
ington to  the  seat  of  government.  That  he  should  have  taken  Charlestown 
en  route  is  remarkable,  as  well  as  the  speed  by  which  alone  he  could  have 
reached  Philadelphia,  as  he  did,  on  August  11,  in  time  for  dinner,  to  which 
Randolph  was  invited.  Mr.  Cabot  Lodge  (George  Washington,  ii,  pp,  191, 
195)  seems  to  think  that  Washington  was  expecting  a recall  to  Philadelphia, 
and  was  going  on  to  ratify  the  Treaty.  The  tenor  of  these  letters,  however, 
suggests  that  he  did  not  intend  to  return,  having  resolved  to  await  the  ac- 
tion of  the  British  government  on  a protest  against  the  Provision  Order 
which  he  had  instructed  Randolph  to  write.  While  he  knew  that  the  criti- 
cal negotiations  might  demand  his  presence  at  the  capital,  that  he  did  not 
intend  to  return  and  ratify  the  Treaty  is  shown  by  an  unpublished  letter 
before  me,  to  Major  George  Lewis  (his  nephew,  at  Fredericksburg)  dated 
“Mount  Vernon,  27  July,  1795,”  in  which  Washington  writes:  “Unless 
business  should  require  my  presence  in  Philadelphia  sooner  (and  then  I 
shall  go  thither  alone)  it  is  not  likely  I shall  leave  this  place  until  the  end 
of  September.  If  therefore  you  and  Mrs.  Lewis,  my  sister  and  Harriet ; 
or  any  of  you  cau  make  it  convenient  or  agreeable  to  favor  us  with  a visit, 
we  should  be  happy  in  seeing  you.”  For  this  important  bit  of  evidence  on 
a controverted  point  I am  indebted  to  R.  B.  Lewis,  Esq.,  of  Washington,  a 
grandson  of  Major  George  Lewis. 


190 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


In  looking  at  the  field  above  mentioned,  it  did  not  strike 
me  as  sufiicient,  in  addition  to  5 for  a wheaten  crop  at 
that  farm  (if  more  can  be  got  in,  advanced  as  the  Season  is) 
— because  the  quantity  of  Acres  in  it  is  too  small ; — and 
2*^'^  because  part  of  it  is  very  poor,  and  turning  in  the  grass, 
in  places,  would  be  dilficult ; — without  which  attempting  it  at 
all,  at  this  late  hour,  could  not  be  justified  upon  any  true 
principle  of  husbandry. — for  these  reasons,  I intended  to  have 
told  you,  that  in  my  opinion,  7 ought  to  be  preferred  ; 
provided  there  be  a moral  certainty  of  getting  it  seeded  in 
good  time  ; — and  the  work  well  done. — 

If  you  attempt  this  field,  I have  been  considering  further, 
whether  it  w**  not  be  better  to  plow  the  same  way  it  was  laid 
last ; but  to  make  the  parting  furrow  where  the  ridge  now  is, 
— the  work,  I am  confident,  will  be  better  executed ; and  the 
growth  now  on  it,  turned  in  with  more  truth  ; and  to  do  this 
carefully,  is  all  in  all ; for  if  the  sward,  or  one  furrow  is  not 
turned  immediately  into  the  other,  and  an  even  face  at  top, 
made  with  the  under  earth ; that  kind  of  husbandry,  so 
strongly  recommended  on  a clover  lay  and  may  succeed  with 
other  grasses,  would  be  entirely  defeated : — good  plowing 
therefore  is  essential ; — and  I would  have  you  sow,  as  fast  as 
you  plow ; to  be  well  harrowed,  but  not  so  as  to  bring  the 
grass  up  again  ; for  it  is  the  manure,  occasioned  by  the  fer- 
mentation and  rotting  of  it,  that  is  to  benefit  the  land,  and  to 
produce  the  AVheat. — 

The  storms  of  wind  and  rain,  seems  to  have  been  more 
severe  in  these  parts  than  with  you ; notwithstanding,  I find 
seeding  has  begun  on  the  other  side  Susquehanna  in  two  or 
three  places. — The  roads  are  miserably  torn  up,  and  the  Mill 
dams,  bridges,  &c^  almost  universally  carried  away. 

Among  other  reasons  for  preferring  7 at  Dogue-run  to 
what  is  called  Davys  field,  is,  because  I see  your  chance  for 
wheat  next  year  is  hurt  by  the  laying  down  of  the  Corn — the 
delay  it  has  necessarily  occasioned  in  sowing — and  the  con- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON 


107 


sequent  grassiness  of  the  fields  from  that  circumstance  ; and 
the  inability  of  keejiing  them  clean  with  so  much  ruin. — I am 
satisfied  your  forward  Corn  must  be  first  taken  from  the  gi‘‘ 
before  it  can  be  sown  : — This  also  will  be  hurtful  to  the  next 
years  wheat — but  this  is  to  be  preferred  to  any  measures 
which  may  injure  the  Corn  at  this  time. — 

Do  not  forget  to  plow  in  some  of  your  greenest  Buck  wheat, 
and  sow  wheat  thereon  immediately,  for  an  experiment; — if 
this  should  answer  well,  it  would  be  proper,  always  to  sow 
the  Buck  wheat  (intended  for  manure)  at  such  a period  as  to 
sow  wheat  thereon  when  it  is  not  more  than  six  or  eight  in- 
ches high,  as  is  done  upon  a clover  lay. — But  if  this  mode  is 
found  to  succeed,  the  Buck  wheat  ought  to  be  sown  thick, 
otherwise  it  would  not  afford  much  improvement  to  the  soil. — 
If  the  money  is  due  for  the  flour  sold  let  it  be  collected, 
and  deposited  in  the  Alexandria  Bank. — 

I am  your  friend  Ac*^ 

CD  AVasiiington. 

LXXV. 

Bhiladelphia  12^^  Aug^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I forgot  to  ask  you,  what  prospect  there  was  of  your  saving 
clover  seed,  suJfiicient  for  your  next  years  purposes  ? — If  it  is 
a good  one,  there  will  be  no  occasion  of  buying,  if  it  is  not, 
the  sooner  I am  informed  thereof,  the  better. — I hope  you  will, 
not  only  of  this  kind  of  seed,  but  of  all  others,  endeavor  to 
save  as  much  as  will  answer  my  own  demands,  as  the  purchase 
of  them  falls  heavy  upon  me. — 

As  soon  as  your  ground,  and  other  things  are  in  order  for 
it,  I would  have  your  Wheat  sowing  commence  ; and  prose- 
cuted with  diligence  until  it  is  completed,  as  I have  found 
that  early  sowing,  four  times  out  of  five,  has  succeeded  best 
with  me. — If  you  attempt  7 at  Dogue-run,  let  it  be  well 


19S 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


ploughed,  and  in  the  manner  mentioned  in  my  letter  from 
Charlestown  unless  reasons  which  do  not  occur  to  me,  should 
render  ploughing  across  the  ridges  more  eligable. — 

Give  me,  in  your  next  letter,  after  this  gets  to  hand,  the 
length,  and  breadth  of  the  two  pavements  between  the  steps 
of  the  middle  door — and  those  of  the  end  doors  of  the  Man- 
sion house. — Measure  from  the  outer  line  of  stone  (each  way) 
that  encloses  the  brick  tile. 

I am  Your  friend  &c^ 

Washington. 


LXXVI. 

Philadelphia  16^^  Aug^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter,  begun  on  the  9^^  and  ended  on  the  12^^  ins‘, 
with  its  several  enclosures,  came  to  my  hands  yesterday. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  frequent,  and  hard  rains 
should  have  involved  you  in  such  difficulties. — But  all  that 
can  be  done  in  cases  that  are  not  to  be  guarded  against,  or 
avoided,  is  to  do  the  best  under  them  that  circumstances 
will  admit. — More  ought  not  to  be  expected ; and  I am  sure, 
that  more  is  not  desired  by  me. — I fear,  however,  that  if 
the  forward  corn  is  turned  differently  than  it  was  by  the 
first  storm, — that  all  the  roots  have  given  way,  and,  of 
course,  the  plant  must  suffer — ; if  not  perish : — but  of  this 
you  can  judge  better  than  I. 

I am  anxious  to  get  my  Wheat  in  the  ground  as  soon  as 
possible,  but  would  not,  nevertheless,  sow  before  the  ground 
is  in  order  for  it. — It  is  some  consolation  to  hear  that  all 
your  Wheat  and  Oats  are  in — I wish  the  Hay  was  also 
secured — and  as  free  from  damage  as  possible. — That  which 
is  so  much  sanded,  will  be  fit  for  little,  or  nothing,  unless 
some  method  can  be  devised  of  threshing,  or  beating  the 
sand  of(f),  before  it  is  fed. — 

As  Donaldson  is  going  away,  I think  it  best  to  decide, 


AND  MOUNT  \T:RN0N. 


199 


at  once,  to  take  the  Carpenter  recommended  by  my  nephew 
Col°  W"'  Washington ; although  his  allowances  are  high — 
particularly  in  Corn — for  1 cannot  conceive  how  he  is  to  con- 
sume 15  barrels  of  Corn  in  addition  to  the  Hour. — However, 
you  will  want  a man  to  carry  on  my  Carpentering  business  ; 
and  if  from  his  appearance,  and  talking  to  him,  you  think 
he  will  answer,  engage  him  positively,  and  firmly. — If  he  is 
competent  to  do  ^lill-work — Wheel-work — and  is  a tolerable 
})lain  Joiner,  he  will  be  very  useful ; as  my  buildings  are 
going  very  much  to  decay. — lie  may  have  the  house  and  gar- 
den that  Donaldson  occupies,  as  his  year  will  have  expired 
before  the  first  of  November. — Donaldson  therefore  must  be 
taken  at  his  w’ord,  as  there  is  no  other  house  and  Garden  that 
John  Neale — the  person  offering — can  have  but  that ; and 
the  latter  (if  he  is  such  a man  as  I conceive  him  to  be,  from 
the  character  given  of  him)  will  be  of  more  service  to  me 
than  the  former. — I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

G°  Wasuingtox. 


LXXYII. 

Philadelphia  23*^  Aug*'  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  instant,  covering  the  weekly  reports, 
came  to  my  hands  yesterday. — 

As  you  have  begun  upon  what  is  called  Davy’s  field  at 
Dogue-run,  I do  not  wish  any  change  ; — and  when  to  this  is 
added  the  high,  and  dry  parts  of  the  Mill  swamp  Corn,  and 
one  of  the  lots  by  the  Barn,  the  quantity  of  ground  in  Wheat, 
at  that  farm,  will  be  pretty  well. — But  I wish  your  sowing 
had  kept  pace  with  the  plowing  where  one  plowing  only  is 
intended,  and  the  Wheat  is  to  be  harrowed  in. — Let  this  be 
the  case  with  the  clover  lot ; — and  that  it  may  have  fair  play, 
let  the  clover  be  well  turned  in  by  good  plows  and  good  plow- 


200 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


men. — I wish  the  same  had  been  done  by  the  Buck  Wheat, 
which  you  turned  in  for  an  experiment. — 

From  the  knowledge  I have  of  the  nature  of  the  soil  of  my 
farms,  I am  very  sensible  that  it  is  not  in  your  power  now 
either  to  get  the  wheat  sown  in  such  good  season,  or  in  such 
good  order,  as  were  to  be  wished : — but  to  do  the  best  one 
can,  under  existing  circumstances,  is  all  that  can  be  expected. 
— As  some  of  your  fields,  however,  may  be  drier,  and  in  better 
order  for  sowing  than  others  ; would  it  not  be  good  policy  to 
employ  the  force  of  other  farms,  besides  the  one  to  which 
[torn]  belongs,  in  getting  the  Wheat  sowed  the  [torn]  first, 
and  go  on  in  that  manner  until  the  whole  are  compleated,  by 
that  kind  of  management  (always  taking  that  first  which  is 
in  the  best  order  for  seeding)  or  till  all  the  residue  are  in 
order,  that  the  respective  force  may  return  to  its  own 
farm. — Grounds  which  are  declining,  or  that  have  sand  in 
them,  may  be  in  order  to  sow  (as  Muddy-hole  fields  for 
instance)  when  the  flat  land  at  the  other  places  can  not  be 
touched. — 

I would  have  you,  merely  that  it  may  be  unequivocally 
ascertained  whether  Barley  will  do  upon  my  land,  sow  some 
of  it  again  this  year. — If  it  will,  diversifying  the  Crops  will 
be  an  advantage. — 

Ilow  does  the  Wheat  which  has  been  threshed,  or  tread  out, 
appear  to  yield,  not  only  in  quality,  but  as  to  the  stack,  or  its 
bulk  of  straw  also? — Send  me  two  bushels  of  the  best  of  the 
early  Wheat,  by  the  first  Vessel  bound  to  this  city. — I have 
promised  it  to  a gentleman  or  two  of  my  acquaintance  in  these 
parts. — Let  it  be  well  cleaned,  and  certainly  of  the  true  sort. — 
It  may  be  consigned  to  Mr.  Kitt,  my  household  Steward,  in 
case  I should  not  be  here. — 

I recollect  that,  in  one  of  your  letters  in  the  Spring,  you 
informed  me,  that  you  expected  there  would  be  about  900 
bush^®  of  Oats  for  Sale ; — and  some  time  afterw^%  that  you 
had  sold  (I  think)  300  : — I forgot  to  enquire  when  I was  at 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


201 


home  whether  you  had  sold  any  more,  or  what  quantity  tliere 
was  on  hand. — 

Have  you  secured  overseers  for  Union  and  Dogue-run 
farms  ? — This  is  the  season  for  getting  such  as  are  good. — If 
delayed  much  longer  you  will  he  obliged  to  take  indifferent 
ones  ])erhaps. — 

1 wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend, 

Washington. 

LXXYIII. 

Philadelphia  28‘^  Aug‘  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

The  enclosed  letter  for  Miss  Betcy  Custis*  relates  to  a mat- 
ter, respecting  which,  I have  made  some  enquiry  in  her  behalf 
— Put  it  into  her  own  hands,  if  she  is  at  Mount  Vernon — and 
as  she  might  wish,  perhaps,  to  revolve  the  subject  a little,  be- 
fore she  communicates  the  contents  to  any  other,  give  it  to 
her  when  she  is  alone,  with  this  letter  also,  which  only  serves 
to  cover  it. — 

I am  Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

P.  S. 

I shall  write  to  you  again  at  the  usual  time — viz — by  Mon- 
days Post. 


- Elizabeth  Parke  Custis,  Mrs.  Washington’s  grand-daughter,  who  after- 
wards married  Mr.  Law,  kinsman  of  Lord  Ellenborough,  to  whom  the  in- 
quiries may  have  related.  The  marriage  was  not  happy,  and  in  later  life 
the  lady  resumed  the  name  of  Custis.  It  is  notable  that  when  this  and  the 
preceding,  and  several  succeeding  letters,  were  written,  the  Government 
was  in  the  midst  of  a crisis  brought  on  by  the  resignation  of  the  Secretary 
of  State  (Randolph)  and  the  death  of  the  Attorney  General  (Bradford).  The 
letters  are  more  brief,  but  the  hand  of  the  writer  does  not  shake,  nor  does 
he  fail  in  thoughtfulness  for  the  affairs  of  Betsy  Custis. 


202 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


LXXIX. 

Philadelphia  30^^  Aug^  1795. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

I have  written  to  you  so  fully  of  late,  that  little  remains  to 
be  said  in  this  letter,  beyond  the  acknowledgment  of  yours  of 
the  23^  instant. 

I shall  however  add,  that  late  as  it  is  to  be,  in  a manner, 
beginning  to  sow  AYheat,  I would  rather  have  it  delayed  still 
longer  than  to  be  sowed  in  ground  that  is  too  wet;  or  in 
other  respects  unfit  for  its  reception. — Xo  seed  will  ever 
yield  well  when  put  in  in  bad  order;  or  too  much  out  of 
season. — 

This  reminds ’me  of  the  necessity  there  is  for  sowing,  with- 
out delay,  the  lot  by  the  Spring,  where  Potatoes  are  growing, 
with  Lucern. — Prepare  the  ground  well,  and  do  not  spare 
seed  (trying  the  goodness  of  it  beforehand). — Admitting  that 
the  Potatoes  are  not  yet  got  to  their  full  growth,  it  is  better, 
notwithstanding,  that  they  should  suffer,  than  the  Grass  (by 
late  sowing)  from  which  permanent  advantages  are  expected 
should  be  injured. — 

The  Ploughs  made  by  Isaac  must  be  badly  executed,  or 
vastly  abused  at  the  Farms,  from  the  continual  employment 
he  has  in  making  them. — A sett  of  Ploughs,  made  and  taken 
care  of  as  they  ought  to  be,  cannot,  surely  want  replacing  as 
often  as  mine  are,  by  the  Carpenters  report ; especially  as 
there  are  so  few  stumps  and  stones  in  any  of  my  arable 
fields. — The  Overseers  ought  to  be  attentive  to  this  matter. — 
If  they  had  the  making,  or  paying  for  the  making,  them- 
selves, there  w*^  not  be  this  demand  for  them  I apprehend — 
and  it  is  no  good  reason  why  they  should  be  constantly  calling 
for  them,  because  they  are  done  within  myself. — 

I hope  from  the  character  given  of  Mr.  Xeale,  that  no  dis- 
appointment will  follow — but  if  the  mode  of  communicating 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


203 


with  him  was  not  direct  and  certain  you  had  better  not  rest 
it  upon  a single  letter. — 1 wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend 

G**  Washington. 


LXXX. 

Philadelphia  0^**  Sep^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I was  glad  to  find  by  yoiir  letter  of  the  30*-^  of  August,  and 
the  reports  of  the  preceeding  week,  that  you  had  recommenced 
seeding,  with  more  favorable  weather. — If  the  latter  should 
continue  good,  and  the  ground  can  be  put  in  tolerable  order, 
all  the  Wheat,  sowed  by  the  middle  of  this  month,  will  be  in 
the  ground  in  good  Season  ; and  if  tlie  Autumn  is  favorable, 
any  time  before  the  end  of  it,  may  answer  very  well. — I fear 
however,  if  what  is  called  Davy’s  field,  at  Dogue-run,  was  too 
wet  to  sow  after  the  Plough,  it  must  have  been  too  wet  also 
for  the  latter  ; — for  such  land  as  mine,  when  plowed  wet, 
always  bakes  hard. — 

As  I expect  to  set  out  in  two  or  three  days  for  Mount 
Vernon  I shall  add  no  more  in  this  letter  than  that  I wish 
you  well  and  am  your  friend 

G®  Washington. 


LXXXI. 

Head  of  Elk,  Monday  Even. 

19^^  of  Oct.  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Owing  to  the  bad  weather,  and  the  sickness  on  the  road  of 
both  Washington  and  one  of  the  Postilions  (Joe)  I am  no 
further  advanced  yet ; and  do  not  expect  to  reach  Philadel- 
phia at  soonest,  before  tuesday  afternoon. 

As  my  Wheat  would  be  a heavy  loss  to  me,  if  the  Weavil 
should  get  much  into  it ; I must  again  request  that  no  time 


204 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


may  be  lost  in  getting  it  out  of  the  straw,  and  ground  up  as 
fast  as  the  Mill  is  able  to  do  it. — As  the  River  farm  has  no 
place  in  which  the  threshed  Wheat  can  be  secured,  let  that  be 
the  first  cleaned  and  sent  to  the  Mill. — At  the  other  places  let 
it  be  got  out  of  the  Straw  and  lye  in  the  chaff,  to  be  cleaned 
as  fast  as  the  Mill  can  grind  it,  and  no  faster. — 

I wish  also  that  you  would  have  your  Corn  taken  out  of  the 
field  as  soon  as  you  think  it  can  be  done  with  safety,  altho’  it 
may  not  be  dry  enough  to  loft. — Nothing  injures  the  growing 
Wheat  among  it,  more  than  running  Carts  over  it  when  the 
ground  is  in  a freezing,  and  thawing  State. — The  Wheels,  the 
feet  of  the  Oxen,  and  [torn]  those  of  the  People  also  press 
[torn]'  about  buries,  and  tares  up  (when  the  ground  has  been 
frozen,  and  thawed  at  top)  a great  deal  of  it. — Corn  this  year 
is  drier,  I conceive,  than  is  usual  at  this  season. — To  this 
cause,  or  to  want,  I know  not  which,  I have  seen  several  fields 
gathered  on  the  Road  I came. — 

Do  not  delay  gathering  (before  the  birds  thin  them)  all  the 
berries  of  the  White  thorn — and  lay  up  a large  store  of  Cedar 
berries  in  due  Season. — On  this  subject,  and  hedging,  I shall 
write  to  you  more  fully  after  I get  to  Philadelphia ; but  men- 
tion them  now  that  the  White  thorn  berries  (which  I fancy 
are  rather  scarce)  may  be  got  while  they  are  in  being. — 

The  sooner  your  Potatoes  are  up  and  secured  the  better. — 
The  weather  seems  to  be  getting  cold ; and  if  it  should  be 
freezing,  will  prevent  them  from  drying  and  keeping  well. — 
Order  the  Overseers  to  be  particularly  attentive  where  these 
and  corn  grow  together,  to  measure  each  separate  from  what 
may  grow  in  other  places,  that  I may  know  the  comparative 
yield  of  both. — 

Desire  the  Gardener  not  to  trim  either  the  Lombardy 
Poplar  or  Yellow  Willow  until  the  season  shall  arrive  for 
putting  out  the  cuttings ; as  I may  want  them  for  Hedging. — 

I am  Your  friend  Ac® 

Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


‘205 


LXXXII. 

Pliiladelpliia  25^^  OcU  1705. 

-Mr.  l^EARCE, 

The  Post  of  yesterday,  brought  me  your  letter  of  tlie  21'^ 
instant,  and  the  Ileports  of  the  preceding  AVeek. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  you  have  been  sick,  but  glad  to  find  you 
have  recovered. — That  the  liy  sliould  be  much  in  your  AVlieat 
is  to  be  regretted  ; but  proves  the  necessity  of  converting  it  as 
speedily  as  possible  into  flour:  or  even  selling  it  in  grain,  if 
it  cannot  be  ground  in  time ; and  a good  price  can  be  had  for 
it  in  that  way. — 

The  disappointment  you  have  met  with  in  the  Englishman 
for  an  Overseer,  is  more  unlucky  on  acc*^  of  the  lateness  of  the 
season,  than  for  any  other  reason ; but  since  it  has  happened, 
I think  you  had  better  take  the  chance  of  getting  a good  one 
from  the  Eastern  Shore  (as  you  are  going  there)  than  to  en- 
gage an  indifferent  one  before  you  go. — 

From  George  Town,  I enclosed  you  a certificate  for  Donald- 
son ; — and  from  the  head  of  Elk  I wrote  you  again,  and  prom- 
ised to  be  more  full  on  the  subject  of  Hedging — (than  which 
nothing  is  more  interesting  to  me) — when  I got  to  this  place  ; 
but  the  pressing,  and  important  business  which  has  accumu- 
lated in  my  absence,  will  oblige  me  to  postpone  it  to  an  hour 
of  more  leisure.^ — I shall,  however,  refer  you  to  a Book  (or 
pamphlet)  I sent  you  some  time  ago  on  that  subject,  contain- 
ing many  useful  experiments,  and  hints  ; whilst  I inform  you 
that  you  can  have  no  dependence  (I  presume)  on  the  berry  of 
the  White  thorn  from  your  friend  in  Xewcastle. — I did  not 
come,  it  is  true,  through  Xe'wcastle,  but  I observed  all  the 

^ The  Secretary  of  State,  Edmund  Randolph,  had  resigned  Aug.  21,  and 
the  Attorney  General,  Bradford,  died  on  the  23d.  The  President’s  unex- 
pected unconditional  signature  of  the  Treaty,  which  both  Hamilton  and 
Randolph  opposed,  had  caused  a critical  situation.  The  President  was 
vainly  trying  to  fill  adequately  the  vacancies  in  his  Cabinet. 


206 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Hedges  about  Christiana,  and  from  that  to  Wilmington,  and 
do  not  believe  a gallon  of  Seed  could  be  gathered  from  the 
whole  of  them. — This  makes  it  more  necessary  to  secure  all 
you  can  at  home  ; — Cedar  berries, — etc® — etc® — 

I send  you  another  Pamphlet  on  the  subject  of  Manures 
(which  I request  care  to  be  taken  of.) — By  reading  it  atten- 
tively at  your  evening,  or  leisure  hours,  you  may,  by  following 
the  precepts  contained  in  it,  benefit  me,  and  yourself  too, 
hereafter. — 

As  that  trusty  old  negro  Jack  has  taken  leave  of  the 
troubles  of  this  world,  you  must  supply  his  place  at  the 
Stable,  or  rather  at  the  Provender  for  it : — and  I should  think 
Allison  had  better  keep  the  key  of  the  corn  loft ; — for  I know 
of  no  black  person  about  the  house  that  is  to  be  trusted. — 

I want  a Green  Pocket  book,  w*^^  is  to  be  found  in  the  hair 
trunk,  wdiich  is  usually  put  on  my  writing  Table  in  the  Study, 
with  my  Land  papers. — The  key  of  this  trunk  is  under  the 
lid  of  the  writing  Table. — it  is  tied  to  a bunch  of  other  keys, 
by  a twine. — This  Pocket  book  is  of  green  parchment,  and 
contains  the  courses  and  distances  of  many  surveys  of  the 
grounds  &c®  in,  and  about  my  farms. — let  it  be  put  under  a 
cover,  and  sent  to  me  by  the  first  Post,  with  the  reports — I 
am. 

Your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 

P.  S. 

The  Pamphlet  on  Manures  is  the  newest,  and  supposed  to 
be  from  the  best  source  of  any  that  has  been  written. 

LXXXIII. 

Philadelphia  22*^  Xov’'  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I received  no  letter  from  you  yesterday,  nor  the  Saturday 
before ; nor  have  I written  to  you  for  several  weeks,  on 
account  of  your  proposed  journey  to  the  Eastern  Shore : 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


207 


postponing  it  until  the  time  I expected  your  return  from 
thence. — 

In  one  or  two  of  the  letters  I have  written  to  you  since  I 
left  Mount  Vernon,  it  was  intimated  that  I should  be  more 
full  on  the  subject  of  Hedging  whenever  I was  at  leizure. — 
Tliis  will  hardly  happen  I believe,  while  I am  in  this  city. — 
But,  as  there  is  nothing  which  has  relation  to  my  farms — not 
even  the  Crops  of  grain — that  I am  so  solicitous  about  as  get- 
ting my  fields  enclosed  with  live  fences,  1 cannot  too  often, 
nor  too  strongly  inculcate  this  doctrine  upon  you ; and  I find 
it  more  necessary  to  do  so,  as  it  is  considered  in  the  light  of  a 
subordinate  object,  and  made  to  yield  to  other  things. — 

It  is  a useless  expence  and  trouble,  to  buy,  or  gather  seeds; 
— to  put  them  in  the  ground ; — or  to  transplant  from  the 
nursery  to  the  hedge ; if  they  are  not  attended  to  afterwards 
with  as  much  care  as  a field  of  Indian  corn  : — nay,  as  plants 
in  a garden ; until  they  are  too  powerful  to  be  injured  by 
Weeds  or  grass. — Unless  this  is  done,  every  antecedent  ex- 
pence and  labour  is  thrown  away  ; — and  disagreeable  as  that 
is, — it  is  not  to  be  compared  with  the  loss  of  time  : in  effect- 
ing this  plan  year  after  year. — 

At  least  15  years  have  I been  urging  my  managers  to 
substitute  live  fences  in  lieu  of  dead  ones — which,  if  con- 
tinued upon  the  extensive  scale  my  farms  require,  must 
exhaust  all  my  timber  and  to  this  moment  I have  not  one 
that  is  complete  : — nor  never  shall,  unless  they  are  attended 
to  in  the  manner  before  mentioned  ; and  if  plants  die,  to 
replace  them  the  next  season  ; and  so  on,  until  the  hedge  is 
close,  compact,  and  suflScient  to  answer  the  purpose  for 
which  it  is  desisined. — 

It  may  be  said,  and  with  great  truth,  that  the  latter  part 
of  last  summer  was  so  wet  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  keep 
weeds  and  grass  under — of  course  that  labour  was  greatly 
multiplied ; — but  this  is  an  evidence  also  of  another  thing 
which  I have  been  equally  anxious  to  adopt,  and  that  is  to 


208 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


tend  less  ground — and  to  manure  and  cultivate  the  smaller 
quantity  higher. — Sure  I am,  the  profit  will  be  greater  : — why 
else  will  a particular  spot  of  ground,  if  it  is  well  dressed  and 
prepared,  yield  five  and  twenty  or  30  bushels  of  Corn  or 
Wheat  to  the  acre,  when  the  circumjacent  land  (of  the  same 
original  quality)  will  not,  at  most,  produce  more  than  eight 
or  ten  ? — The  reason  is  obvious ; — the  ground,  in  the  first 
place,  is  kept  clean  ; — is  well  prepared  ; — and  well  culti- 
vated ; — and  in  the  next  place,  the  manure  which  is  put  on 
it,  and  would  hardly  be  perceived  in  an  hundred  acre  field, 
would  be  sensibly  felt  in  one  of  50  acres. — But  this  is  not  all 
— a small  quantity  of  ground,  proportioned  to  the  force  that 
is  to  cultivate  it — may,  under  all  circumstances  of  weather, 
be  kept  in  order ; — for  if  the  weather  be  bad,  it  still  can  be 
managed ; if  good,  it  not  only  can  be  managed,  but  time  is 
afforded  to  get  up  mud,  and  do  many  other  advantageous 
things  on  a farm  ; — Whereas  a full  crop,  is  hardly,  manage- 
able as  it  ought  to  be  even  in  good  weather,  and  is  much 
injured,  if  not  lost,  if  it  proves  unfavorable  ; whilst  every- 
thing else  of  smaller  magnitude  is  ruined. 

The  last  paragraph  is  a digression  from  the  subject  of 
Hedging,  but  serves  to  shew  my  ideas  of  aiming  at  too 
much  ; — at  the  same  time  that  it  serves  to  prove  what  are 
really  facts,  that  hedging,  ditching,  and  putting  my  Meadows 
in  prime  order,  would  be  infinitely  more  agreeable  to  me, 
and  ultimately  more  profitable,  than  an  attempt  to  encrease 
my  crops  of  grain. — But  to  return  to  hedging. — 

At  the  proper  season  let  all  the  English  thorn,  in  the 
Vineyard,  be  transplanted  (I  do  not  care  where,  so  it  be)  to 
places  where  the  strongest  inner  fences  are  required. — Let 
the  long  string  of  fence  from  the  gate  at  Union  farm  (going 
into  N®  1)  quite  through  to  the  branch  be  planted  with  the 
honey  locust,  if  they  are  of  a size  proper  for  it. — Continue 
the  Cedar  hedge  from  the  Barn  at  that  place,  to  the  Mill 
road;  or  as  far  as  you  have  plants  for  the  purpose: — and 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


200 


then  (on  both  sides  of  that  lane)  in  ground  properly  spaded, 
or  well  hoed  up,  and  formed  into  a bed,  sow  the  Cedar  ber- 
ries in  a single  straight  row ; after  rubbing  off  the  skin,  or 
irlutinous  substance  which  surrounds  the  seed,  in  the  manner 
which  has  been  mentioned  to  you  ; and  which,  it  is  said,  is 
necessary  to  their  vegitation. — Hut  with  respect  to  these,  and 
other  berries,  the  vegitation  of  which  is  said  to  be  j)romoted 
by  their  passing  through  the  body  of  an  animal,  I have  often 
thought,  that  if  they  were  put  into  a pot  with  water  suffi- 
cient to  moisten  the  whole  mass  of  them,  and  kept  warm 
(but  not  hot)  from  morning  until  night,  and  then  to  have 
the  skin  rubbed  ofP  as  before  mentioned,  it  would  answer  as 
well  as  the  heat  of  the  animal  body. — The  only  danger 
would  be  from  carelessness,  in  letting  them  get  so  hot  as  to 
destroy  vegitation  altogether. 

The  cross  fences,  where  hogs  are  not  suffered  to  run, 
might,  in  my  opinion  be  made  from  tbe  cuttings  of  the  Lom- 
bardy poplar ; which  being  quick  of  growth  would,  wattled 
in  the  manner  I have  described  to  you,  soon  form  a hedge 
against  horses,  cattle  and  Sheep  : and  might,  if  necessary 
hereafter,  have  a hedge,  on  the  contrary  side  of  the  ditch 
made  of  locust.  Thorn,  Cedar,  or  something  equally  substan- 
tial, tho’  of  slower  growth  ; to  aid,  or  supply  the  place  of  the 
first,  if  it  should  dec*^^  soon. — But  it  is  useless  to  attempt 
more  than  can  be  executed  ; — and  a folly  to  begin  on  fresh 
ditches  until  those  which  are  planted  on  the  old  ones,  are 
made  good. — 

^o  hedge,  alone,  will,  I am  persuaded,  do  for  an  outer  in- 
closure, where  two^  or  four  footed  hogs  find  it  convenient  to 
open  a passage  ; but  I am  equally  satisfied,  that  any  hedge 
will  do  for  partition  fences,  where  no  hogs  are  suffered  to 
run  ; — consequently  those  that  can  be  quickest  raised,  will 
answer  my  purposes  best ; if  I am  even  obliged  to  have  a 
double  hedge,  in  the  manner  before  mentioned,  to  be  ready 
for  the  decline  of  the  first. — 

14 


210 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


On  board  of  Capt"  Elhvood,  I sent  you,  to  the  care  of  Mr. 
Hartshorn,  or  Col°  Gilpins,  28^  Ihs  of  Cliicory  seed  in  a 
hag ; twelve  pounds  of  I request  you  to  sow  in  the  lot  hy 
the  Spring,  at  Mansion  house  (once  intended  for  Lucern)  as 
early  in  March  as  you  can  get  the  gr‘^  in  perfect  order. — You 
may  sow  it  alone,  or  with  Oats,  very  thin  ; The  residue  of 
this  Seed,  sow,  at  the  rate  of  twelve  pounds  to  the  Acre,  on 
the  AVheat  in  the  lot  hy  the  Barn  at  Dogue-run. — Let  this  he 
done  in  February  or  March,  on  a slight  Snow;  and  sow  the 
residue  of  that  lot,  at  the  same  time  with  Lucern  seed,  at  the 
rate  of  at  least  15  lbs  to  the  acre. — The  rest  of  the  Lucern 
seed  you  may  sow  at  the  other  farms,  as  convenient  to  the 
Stables  as  you  can  find  suitable  gr'^ ; that  it  may  he  handy  for 
soiling  the  work  horses  in  its  green  State  ; or  where  else  you 
please. — 

The  Chiccory  being  a very  light  seed,  should  he  mixed  with 
Sand,  ashes,  or  something  of  this  sort  to  make  it  sow  regular. 
— The  enclosed  paper  will  give  you  some  idea  of  its  worth. — 
So  much  has  been  said  of  the  value  of  this  plant  for  feeding 
horses,  cattle  and  Sheep,  that  I have  been  induced  to  give 
upwards  of  Six  pounds  Sterling  for  the  small  bag  I now  send 
you. — this  circumstance  alone,  makes  particular  attention  to 
it  necessary. — 

Give  the  small  papers  enclosed,  to  the  Gardener,  and  de- 
sire him  to  pay  particular  attention  to  them. — 

The  small  sketch  enclosed,  shews  the  course  of  the  Load 
from  the  white  gates  in  Front  of  the  Mansion  house,  to  the 
end  of  the  little  old  field  ; and  I could  be  glad,  if  circum- 
stances would  allow  it,  if  a new  road  was  opened  along  the 
streight  line  A B if  you  can,  without  a compass,  lay  it  off 
streight  or  if  it  was  to  strike  the  road  a little  beyond  the 
field,  next  the  Gum  spring  no  other  disadvantage  than 
lengthening  of  it,  and  increasing  the  labour  in  opening  of  it, 
would  result  therefrom. — This  road  would  leave  out  a small 
part  of  the  inclosure  by  the  'White  gates,  and  would  cross  a 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


till 

rising  by  the  little  old  field  ; but  if  I have  a proper  recollec- 
tion of  it,  the  assent  in  going  to  the  house  will  he  very  easy, 
and  none  elsewhere  in  returning — and  a good  view  of  the 
house  would  he  had  from  it. — If  this  road  was  opened,  a sub- 
stantial ditch  (as  soon  as  the  ditchers  could  he  spared  from 
the  Mill  race)  might  he  thrown  uj)  along  it  as  far  as  the  fence 
at  C where  the  line  I laid  off  the  morning  I left  home,  would 
meet  it,  and  a good  fence  he  placed  thereon. — 

Urge  the  Miller  to  grind  up  my  AV^heat  as  fast  as  he  can. — 
Let  me  know  how  you  have  gone  on  in  getting  it  out — and 
what  the  quantity,  and  quality  of  it  is  likely  to  he — How 
your  Corn  turns  out — And  how  the  growing  Crops  look. — I 
wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend 

AV'asiiington. 

P.  S. 

Have  you  got  an  Overseer  yet  for  Union  Farm. 

Lxxxnu 

Philadelphia  29^*^  Nov*^  1795. 

Mk.  Peakce, 

The  Post  of  yesterday  brought  me  your  letter  of  the 
inst^,  and  the  weekly  yeports  of  the  and  21®*^  preceeding. — 
I am  sorry  to  find  by  them  that  you  have  had  much  sick- 
ness among  the  Xegros ; and  that  the  prospect  of  a good  cro]> 
of  Corn,  as  well  as  a tolerable  one  of  AVheat,  is  diminishing. 
— As  the  latter  of  these  is  got  out,  and  the  horses  more  at 
liberty,  I hope  every  diligence  will  he  used  in  breaking  up 
the  fields  intended  for  the  ensuing  crop,  when  the  weather 
will  permit,  and  the  ground  is  in  order  for  it : — and  I request 
also,  that  your  shelters  may  he  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
the  different  species  of  Stock,  at  all  the  Farms,  by,  or  before 
the  season  requires  them  to  be  used  ; for  if  Cattle  suffer  in  the 
early  part  of  winter,  they  rarely  recover  it. — 


212 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


By  the  Eeport  from  Biver  farm  I perceive  shelter  is  pre- 
paring for  the  horses  at  that  place  ; — what  this  means  I know 
not ; but  it  reminds  me  of  the  necessity  of  giving  substantial 
shoi’es  to  the  Barn  and  Stables  there  : — otherwise  some  very 
disasterous  accident  may  befal  not  only  the  horses,  but  negros 
also,  in  a high  wind,  or  storm. — 

flow  does  Xeale  seem  to  conduct  himself  in  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  workmen  ? — I hope  he  will  have  a little  more 
command  over  them  than  Green  or  Donaldson  had  ; or  he 
will  get  little  more  done  by  them  than  they  did. — I take  it 
for  granted,  that  by  his  agreement,  he  is  to  work  himself. — 
If  then,  you  perceive  any  backwardness  in  his  doing  so  re- 
mark it  to  him  at  first  appearance  of  it. — Neglects  of  this 
sort  come  on  by  degrees ; and  increase  in  proportion  as  they 
are  overlooked. — Let  him  cast  his  eyes  round,  and  see  what 
kind  of  work  is,  or  will  be  wanting,  and  can  be  done  within 
doors  ; — when  the  weather  is  such  as  to  prevent  tlie  people 
from  working  out  to  advantage,  or  with  safety  ; and  have  the 
materials  previously  lodged  in  the  Barn,  to  go  on  with 
it. — 

Among  these,  I recollect  at  once — Dormant  Windows  to 
the  Barn  ; — Sashes  to  the  Kitchen  where  they  are  falling  to 
pieces ; — Plank  tried  up  for  the  North  end  of  the  Mansion 
house,  that  is  now  rotting ; — (Plank  of  a proper  width  and 
thickness,  and  without  sap  should  be  procured  for  this  pur- 
pose)— the  same  for  the  Pillars  of  the  covered  way  going  into 
the  Kitchen  ; — Locust  Posts  for  the  circle  before  the  door  ; — 
Harrows,  Ploughs,  rakes.  Wheels,  Carts,  cradles  for  the  grain 
harvest ; — repairing  spinning  Wheels,  and  many  other  things 
which  might  be  thought  of,  and  executed  within,  to  advan- 
tage, when  the  weather  is  rainy,  snowy,  very  sloppy,  or  very 
cold. — If  he  is  a man  of  industry  and  contrivance,  and  will 
give  his  attention  to  these  things,  more  will  be  done  by  a 
proper  arrangement  of  the  business  than  can  easily  be  con- 
ceived ; and  by  such  an  arrangement,  work  might  be  so  for- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


2i;j 

warded  out  of  the  rough,  as  to  superceed  the  necessity  per- 
liaps,  of  calling  hands  in,  to  do  occasional  jobs  ; — or  keeping 
Isaac  and  Joe  always,  as  it  were,  from  the  other  people,  doing 
less,  it  is  presumed  than  they  would  do,  if  they  were  under 
the  eye  of  a man  who  would  attend  to  them. — 

Enclosed,  is  a copy  of  the  Invoices  of  the  Oznabrigs  and 
Blankets  ; — there  are,  as  you  will  perceive,  two  kinds  of  each. 
— let  the  better  sort  of  Linnen  be  given  to  the  grown  people, 
and  the  ‘most  deserving;  whilst  the  more  indifferent  sort  is 
served  to  the  younger  ones  and  worthless. — I recpiest  that 
particular  attention  may  be  given  to  the  cutting  out  that, 
there  may  be  neither  waste,  nor  embezzlement  if  it  is  cut  out 
by  the  Negro  women  ; and  a piece  at  a time  only  used. — the 
number  of  yards  in  each  piece  appears  by  the  Invoice,  and  it 
is  easily  ascertained  what  quantity  a shirt ; or  shift  will  take 
(of  the  different  sizes)  and  calculate  thereby. — All  my  People 
that  want  blankets  (or  rather  all  that  are  entitled  to  them) 
must  be  supplied  ; giving  to  the  grown  Negros  the  larger, 
or  better  sort. — Many  have  lately  been  given  to  the  laying 
in  Women, — but  where  the  children  are  living,  it  is  usual  to 
let  them  come  in  with  the  rest  notwithstanding ; — but  where 
dead,  not  to  do  so. — 

You  said  something  to  me  about  Sein  twine,  but  nothing 
was  fixed  that  I recollect ; if  you  depend  upon  me  for  it,  not 
a moment  is  to  be  lost  in  sending  round,  as  the  Navigation 
may  soon  be  stopped  by  Ice. — 

Have  you  rec‘^  the  money  yet  for  my  fiour  and  Corn  ? — Pay 
yourself.  Overseers,  and  everything  I owe  with  it,  and  let  me 
know  how  the  acc^  stands. — Charge  Peter  to  be  careful  of  the 
Mules  designed  for  my  own  particular  use — and  let  the  num- 
ber be  Six  instead  of  four. 

I am  Your  friend, 

Washixgtox. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


2U 


LXXXY. 

Philadelphia  6^  Dec^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I have  received  your  letter  of  the  ulP  with  the  Weekly 
reports  of  the  6^^  and  28^  of  Xoveinber. 

I wish  you  to  make  the  most  you  can  of  the  materials  you 
have  within  yourself,  for  hedging ; for  I do  not  believe  you 
will  get  any  berries  of  the  white  thorn  from  Newcastle;  for 
the  reason  given  in  one  of  my  letters  after  I arrived  at  this 
place,  from  Mount  Yernon  last. — I hope  the  Ceder  berries 
will  prove  better  than  you  expect,  that  you  may,  as  soon  as 
possible,  get  the  lane  from  the  New  barn  (at  Union  farm)  to 
the  Mill  road  compleated  with  that  kind  of  hedge  on  both 
sides. — Make  good  the  hedges  as  you  proceed,  in  this  busi- 
ness ; otherwise  you  will  have  incomplete  ones,  that  will 
render  no  service. — Anxious  as  you  perceive  I am,  to  substi- 
tute hedges  instead  of  dead  fences,  I have  full  confidence  in 
your  exertion  to  raise  them  ; — and  as  I have  observed  in  a 
former  letter,  those  for  inner  and  cross  fences,  where  no  hogs 
are  suffered  to  run,  may,  in  the  first  instance,  be  made  of  any- 
thing that  suits  the  soil,  and  will  grow  quick  ; altho’  they 
should  be  doubled  hereafter. — When  I speak  of  tilling  too 
much  land,  and  add  that  a less  quantity  would  be  more  pro- 
ductive than  the  greater  quantity,  which  is  now  tended  in 
order  to  produce  an  adequate  quantity  of  Corn ; I would  not 
be  understood  to  mean  that  half  of  one  of  your  fields  in  the 
condition  they  now  are,  would  produce  you  as  much  corn  (or 
other  things)  as  the  whole  of  it  would  do ; — that  would  be 
absurd ; — but  for  example,  suppose  ten  hands  are  necessary 
to  cultivate  a field  of  100  acres  (more  or  less)  and  that  this 
quantity,  in  common  seasons,  can  be  cultivated  as  well  as 
usually  is  done,  but  will  allow  no  spare  time,  or  labour  for  any 
extra  work — my  idea  then  is,  that  by  turning  half  that  field 
out,  or  rather  let  it  be  enclosed,  and  nothing  suffered  to  run 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


215 


upon  it  (that  all  the  grass  and  weeds  it  produces  may  fall,  rot, 
and  ameliorate  the  soil) — Cultivate  the  other  half  better  than 
you  could  do  the  whole  ; — and  bestow  all  the  spare  labour  of 
the  ten  hands  in  raking, — scraping, — collecting  and  carrying 
out  all  the  manure  that  can  be  obtained  from  Swamps,  ponds, 
trash  about  houses,  and  in  the  lanes, — and  even  leaves  and 
rotten  trees  from  the  woods ; that  more  would  be  produced 
in  a year  or  two  from  the  50  acres,  than  is  now  got  from  the 
hundred  : — and  by  this  means  gullies  might  be  filled  up — and 
many  other  improvements  made  on  the  farms  that  are  not, 
nor  cannot  be  done,  with  a full  crop. — Is  it  not  better  to  get 
20  bushels  of  Wheat  (and  other  things  in  proportion)  from 
one  acre  of  ground,  than  from  two  acres  ? — That  worn  land, 
undressed  and  unimproved  will  not  produce  the  latter,  that  is 
20  bushels,  and  when  well  cultivated  and  manured,  will  pro- 
duce the  former,  is  known  to  every  man  who  has  attended  to 
these  things ; — and  yet,  such  is  the  force  of  habit,  that  people 
will  not  cpiit  the  path  their  fathers  have  trod  in. — Besides,  I 
am  so  well  persuaded  of  the  injury,  land  sustains  from  the 
growth  of  Indian  Corn,  I never  desire  to  raise  more  than 
enough  for  my  Kegros  (who  cannot  do  without  it ;)  substitut- 
ing other  species  of  food  for  Horses,  Hogs  etc" — or  even  buy- 
ing, from  the  sales  of  other  crops  if  I cannot  do  this. — 

I agree  to  your  putting  X®  1 at  Muddy-hole  in  Oats  instead 
of  X®  6. — xVnd  one  object  which  makes  me  desirous  of  clear- 
ing ground  at  the  Mansion  house,  and  tilling  what  has  been 
grubbed,  is  to  relieve  those  worn  out  fields  at  the  former ; 
whilst  the  principal  design,  is  to  improve  and  beautify  the 
grounds  about  the  latter. — But  altho’  I wish  very  much  to 
have  the  new  road  (sketched  out  in  one  of  my  late  letters,) 
opened,  yet  I cannot,  nor  do  not  request  it,  if  more  essential 
matters  are  to  suffer  by  it. — perhaps  it  may  be  done  on  a 
streight  line  from  the  sweep  by  the  white  gates,  to  the  inter- 
section of  the  proposed  road,  and  the  fence,  which  was  marked 
out  the  morning  I left  home. 


216 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I am  glad  to  hear  that  your  growing  grain  looks  well. — 
take  care  to  make  drains,  in  time,  to  take  the  water  from  all 
low  places  ; — and  let  me  know,  as  soon  as  the  matter  is  ascer- 
tained, the  amount  of  your  AVheat  and  Corn  Crops  at  each 
place  ; and  in  each  field  ; if  the  acc^  have  been  kept  dis- 
tinct.— 

I remain  your  friend  and  well  wisher 

AVasiiington. 

r.  S. 

AVhat  Hogs  have  you  put  up  for  Porke  ? and  when  will 
they  be  fit  to  kill  ? 


LXXXVl. 

Philadelphia  13^*^  Dec*"  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  6^*^  inst‘,  enclosing  the  AVeekly  reports, 
has  been  duly  received. 

I am  glad  to  find  by  it  that  the  sickness  among  my  people 
is  abating. — If  Cyrus*  continues  to  give  evidence  of  such 
qualities  as  would  fit  him  for  a waiting  man,  encourage  him 
to  persevere  in  them ; and  if  they  should  appear  to  be  sin- 
cere and  permanent,  I will  receive  him  in  that  character 
when  I retire  from  public  life,  if  not  sooner. — To  be  sober, 
attentive  to  his  duty,  honest,  obliging  and  cleanly,  are  the 
qualifications  necessary  to  fit  him  for  my  purposes. — If  he 
possesses  these,  or  can  acquire  them — he  might  become  useful 
to  me,  at  the  same  time  that  he  would  exalt,  and  benefit 
himself. 

When  you  receive  the  money  for  my  last  years  fiour  and 
Corn,  I wish  that  every  demand,  of  whatsoever  nature  or 
kind,  may  be  discharged. — I never  like  to  owe  anything,  lest 
I might  be  called  upon  for  payment  when  I am  not  possessed 
of  the  means. — A Dun,  would  not  be  agreeable  to  me,  at  any 


* A negro  boj. 


I 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


217 


time ; — and  not  to  pay  money  \vhen  it  is  due,  and  miglit 
really  be  wanting,  would  hurt  my  feelings. — 

Wheat  in  this  market  is  at  from  15  to  20/.  ]»*■  bush,  and 
flour  thirteen  dollars  and  an  half  p*'  barH. — Probably  this 
may  be  occasioned  by  the  desire  of  Shipj)ing  it  before  the 
frost  sets  in,  to  stop  the  Navigation. — 1 therefore  recpiest 
that  the  ^filler  would  exert  himself  in  grinding  mine ; and 
if  you  can  get  the  above  price  (allowing  for  the  deduction  of 
freight  from  Alexandria  to  this  City)  to  sell,  on  a reasonable 
credit,  all  the  flour  he  has,  or  can  get  ready,  at  that  price. — 

I will  make  enquiry  for  Sein  twine  and  if  it  is  to  be  had 
on  better  terms  here  than  in  Alexandria,  and  a Vessel  offers 
(which  is  not  the  case  at  present)  I will  send  a quantity 
round. — 

Two  more  mules  (altho’  they  may  be  older  than  the  four 
now  up)  may  be  turned  over  to  Peter — Let  him  chuse  those 
which  are  most  promising,  and  nearest  in  colour. 

I am  Your  friend  Ac® 

Washington. 


LXXXVII. 

Philadelphia  20*^''  Dec^  1795. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Having  received  neither  the  Weekly  reports  nor  a letter 
from  you  yesterday,  as  usual,  I fear  you  are  unwell,  or  some- 
thing else  is  the  cause  of  it,  as  I got  other  letters  by  the 
Southern  Mail. — 

Flour  keeps  up  to  ISi  dollars  p*^  baP.  If  I have  any  there- 
fore on  hand,  to  dispose  of,  I wish  it  were  sold  at  that  price, 
on  a reasonable  credit ; allowing  for  the  freight  to  this  place  ; 
which  is  all  that  the  purchaser  ought  to  require,  unless  he 
contends  for  Insurance  also. — One  cause  for  this  price  is,  to 
get  it  out  before  the  frost  sets  in,  so  as  to  impede  the  Naviga- 
tion.— Whether  a fall  afterwards  may  be  permanent,  or  not, 


218 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I will  not  undertake  to  decide  ; — but  I had  rather  sell  at  that 
price  than  run  the  hazard  of  its  doing  it. — 

I could  buy  Sein  twine  in  this  city  at  | this  money,  but  no 
‘Yessel  offers  for  Potoinack,  and  probably  will  not  before  the 
river  closes ; you  must  do  therefore  what  seems  to  you  best 
under  these  circumstances — that  is  to  buy  there — weight,  and 
take  the  chance  of  getting  it  from  hence  in  time — or  to  rent 
the  Landing  for  a certain  sum ; obliging  the  Hire,  er  of  it,  to 
furnish  you  from  the  first  running,  with  as  many  Shad  and 
Herrings  as  you  usually  put  up  for  family  use. — Sometime 
last  year,  I wrote  you  a letter  on  this  subject  which  may  con- 
tain (altho’  I dont  know  that  it  does)  some  useful  ideas,  if  the 
latter  mode  should  be  preferred. — 

I am  your  friend  and  well  wisher 

Washington. 


LXXXVHI. 

Philadelphia  3'^  Jan.  ITOG. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  27*^^  with  the  reports  came  to  hand 
yesterday — and  I am  glad  to  find  you  have  met  with  a supply 
of  twine  in  Alexandria,  as  there  is  no  prospect  that  has  yet 
opened,  of  getting  it  from  hence  in  time  and  I have  no  doubt 
that  under  all  chances  fishing  yourself  will  be  more  profitable 
than  hiring  out  the  landing  for  Sixty  pounds. — 

I am  not  disposed  to  take  any  thing  less  for  my  flour  than 
it  sells  at  here  (allowing  for  freight  and  Insurance)  for  if  it  is 
well  manufactured,  it  will  pass  Inspection  in  this  Market,  and 
of  course  command  the  price  of  other  flour,  without  the  credit 
which  is  required  in  Alexandria  and  would  be  for  my  interest 
to  bring  it  hither,  rather  than  sell  at  an  under  rate. — In  any 
case,  however,  I request  that  Davenport  may  hasten  the  grind- 
ing as  much  as  possible,  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  take  the 
advantage  of  a Yessel  wanting  a quantity  to  dispatch  her,  and 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


211) 


the  badness  of  the  roads,  which  may  prevent  its  coming  from 
the  upper  country  by  land  ; which  must  be  the  case  now,  from 
the  opeiiess  of  the  winter,  hitherto ; and  will  bo  the  case  in 
the  spring  when  it  is  breaking  up  which  circumstances  are 
favorable  for  a good  sale  if  you  keep  a good  lookout. — 

My  letter  to  you,  must  have  been  opened  after  it  went 
from  me,  for  I think  it  never  could  have  left  my  hands  with- 
out a seal.' — But  letters  for  sometime  past  have  Ixjen  ojKJiied, 
to  come  at  Bank  and  Post  notes ; and  some  persons  are  now 
under  trial  for  this  practice. 

I am  Your  friend  cVc* 

G®  Washington. 


BXXXIX. 

Philadelphia  17^  Jan.  171)0. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letters  of  the  3*^  and  inst^  are  both  before  me, — 
the  last  came  yesterday,  and  the  first  on  tuesday. 

I should  bo  sorry  if  Davenports  disorder  should  prove  fatal 
to  him ; it  would  be  a heavy  stroke  upon  his  family  at  any 
time,  and  unlucky  for  me  at  the  present. — 

I am  under  no  concern  for  the  fall  which  has  taken  place 
ill  the  price  of  fiour — that  it  will  be  up  again,  and  higher 
than  ever  in  the  spring  there  is  but  little  doubt — indeed  some 
well  informed  Merchants  declare  they  should  not  be  surprized 
to  find  it  at  twenty  dollars  p*’  Barrel  at  that  season. — 

There  can  be  no  question,  in  my  mind  that  herrings  will  be 
at  10/.  p*"  Thousand  and  Shads  at  three  dollars  at  least  p*"  hun- 
dred for  which  reason,  my  advice  to  you  is,  not  to  take  less 
from  Mr.  Smith,  or  any  other  who  may  offer  to  contract,  be- 
forehand. 

You  may  manage  the  fields  at  Union  farm  in  whatever 
manner  you  think  best — My  great  object  (more  than  making 


’ See  Introduction. 


220 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


crops)  is  to  preserve  the  land  and  tlie  inode  you  have  sug- 
gested for  the  ensuing  crop,  may  answer  that  purpose. — 

I have  no  objection  to  your  disposing  of  all  the  fallen  tim- 
ber to  Waggoners  that  you  see  no  prospect  of  getting  up 
yourself  upon  the  best  terms  you  can  obtain. — taking  care  to 
prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  impositions  and  inconveniences 
from  admitting  them  within  your  outer  fences. — To  keep 
which  up,  is  an  object  of  great  importance  ; and  I wish  it  to 
be  done  as  far  as  it  is  in  your  power  without  neglecting 
things  of  greater  moment. — It  was  always  my  intention,  and 
is  my  earnest  wish,  to  get  a hedge  of  the  honey  locust,  or 
some  plant  of  quick  and  stubborn  growth  upon  the  outer 
ditch  as  soon  as  possible. — 

Ilow  does  your  winter  grain  stand  this  open  weather  ? — It 
has  been  fine  for  grubbing,  and  I hope  that  business  has,  and 
is  going  on  well. — Have  you  a prospect  of  getting  all  grubbed 
within  the  line  I laid  off  the  morning  I left  home  ? — and  is  it 
likely  you  can  do  anything  towards  the  Kew  road  from  the 
White  gates  this  winter  or  Spring  ? 

As  Allison  knew  that  it  never  was  contemplated  to  bring, 
or  have  a married  man  about  the  Mansion  house  as  an  Over- 
seer, he  would  be  rightly  served  to  be  turned  of[f]  ; but  as  it 
might  be  difficult  to  supply  his  place  at  this  season  I can  give 
no  direction  about  it,  but  leave  the  matter  to  yourself  to  act 
as  circumstances  dictate. 

It  is  hardly  possible  it  can  be  three  years  since  I subscribed 
to  the  Salary  of  Mr.  Davis  ‘ — how  then  can  there  be  two 
years  due  when  one  has  been  paid  ? Surely  it  was  not  the 
terms  of  the  Subscription  to  pay  ten  pounds  at  the  beginning, 
and  ten  pounds  at  the  end  of  the  first  year.  But  you  can  as- 
certain this  matter  by  having  recourse  to  the  paper — or,  Mr. 
Herbert,  who  was  the  gentleman  that  obtained  my  name  to 
it. — 


^ Rev.  Thomas  Davis.  (See  ante.) 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


221 


It  is  not  want  of  water,  but  the  great  quantity  of  it  tliat  is 
wastetl,  that  makes  the  scarcity  at  the  Mill,  and  this  will  con- 
tinue to  he  the  case  until  the  New  race  is  done  and  all  the 
rotten  and  week  parts  below  it  are  tliorouglily  repaired. — 
after  which,  except  in  very  dry  summers  I do  not  conceive 
there  will  ho  much  cause  for  complaint. — 

1 remain  your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


XC. 

Philadelphia  25^  Jan.  ITJd. 

Mr.  Pkarce, 

The  letter  which  accompanies  tlie  two  parcels  of  llice 
herewith  sent,  gives  all  the  information  I am  able  to  trans- 
mit, respecting  the  cultivation  of  them ; — and  to  which  I 
re(]uest  you  to  pay  particular  attention. — 

As  these  small  things  may  he  laid  hy^  and  forgot  when  the 
season  for  sowing  or  preparing  ground  for  tliem  arrives; — and 
even  after  sowing  them,  may  he  forgotten  in  the  due  cultiva- 
tion of  them — It  would  he  proper  to  avoid  the  first,  to  put 
them  in  places  wliere  they  cannot  he  overlooked — and  as  a re- 
membrancer of  the  latter,  to  note  down  in  your  book  of  re- 
ports the  time — and  place — where  and  when,  they  are  put 
into  the  ground. — 

^ I am  Your  friend 

G°  AVasiiington. 


XCI. 


PhiP  31^  Jan^  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  24*^^  inst.  with  the  reports,  came  to 
hand,  at  the  usual  time,  yesterday. — And  I am  sorry  to  find 
bv  them  that  sickness  is  so  prevalent  among  the  people. — 


222 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


It  is  occasioned  I presume  by  the  cliangeableness  of  the 
weather ; — and  will  I hope,  be  carried  off  by  the  steady  cold 
which  seems  to  be  now  setting  in. — 

Has  yonr  grain  been  covered  with  snow  ? — If  not,  how 
does  it,  and  is  it  likely,  to  withstand  these  open  frosts  ? 

If  you  cannot  get  a Miller  until  the  first  of  June — (I  mean 
who  will  remain  with  you  until  that  time) — let  me  know  it, 
and  I will  endeavor  to  send  one  from  hence : — but  the  season 
will,  in  a manner,  be  passed  away  before  one  could  reach  you . 
from  hence  ; for  which  reason,  if  you  could  get  a fit  character 
nearer  home,  it  would  be  better. — I hope  the  loss  of  Ben  will 
not  be  added  to  that  of  Davenport. — Let  care  be  taken  of 
him,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  sick. — 

As  I am  almost  as  confident  as  I can  be  of  anything,  that 
depends  upon  a bad  memory,  that  it  is  not  three  years  since 
I subscribed  to  a Salary  for  Mr.  Davis,  I cannot  discover 
upon  what  ground  it  is  he  claims  three  years  payment ; 
unless  my  subscription  anticipated  a years  payment,  of  which 
I have  no  recollection  ; — but  which  must  certainly  be  known 
to  Mr.  Herbert  who  was  the  Gentleman  that  solicited  my 
name  to  the  instrument. — I am  always  willing  to  pay  what  I 
owe — but  never  that  which  I do  not  owe. 

I wish  you  well  and  am  y*"  friend 

G®  Washington. 


XCII. 

Philadelphia  7^^  Feb^  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter,  begun  on  the  31^  of  last  month,  and  ended  the 
2*^  of  this,  came,  with  the  Deports  enclosed,  duly  to  hand 
yesterday  ; together  with  the  list  of  Dower  Negros  which  are 
taken  exactly  as  I wished. — I now  wish  ycfu  would  forward  to 
me  a list  of  all  the  remaining  Negros  on  the  Estate ; — dis- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


223 


tinguisliing  Frencirs  from  the  others  ; ami  both  made  out  in 
the  maimer  of  the  last — giving  the  ages  cV:c*.' 

After  I hear  from  you  again,  respecting  a Miller,  I sliall  be 
better  able  to  determine  than  now,  whether  to  send  a Miller 
from  hence  or  not ; — especially  as,  all  circumstances  con- 
sidered, it  may  be  found  as  well  to  sell  the  AVheat  in  grain  as 
to  grind  it,  if  the  ^Lill  can  be  rented  on  Advantages  terms 
before  the  next  Manufacturing  season  comes  on — of  which  I 
request  you  to  bo  particular  in  your  enquiries  that  I may 
know  the  utmost  she  will  Kent  for. — 

Let  me  know  in  your  next  (for  the  Mill  report  gives  no  ac- 
count of  it)  what  quantity  of  Hour  is  ground  : — and  1 should 
be  glad  to  know  as  nearly  as  you  can  give  a guess  from  what 
you  have  already  got  out  of  the  Straw,  the  quantity  remaining 
in  it. — In  short  I wish  to  know  as  nearly  as  may  be  con- 
jectured (with  certainty  I am  sensible  it  cannot  be)  the  whole 
amount  of  the  last  years  crop,  of  this  article. — 

I never  was  under  any  apju’ehension,  from  the  fall  in  the 
price  of  AVheat  or  flour  in  Alexandria,  that  I had  missed  the 
market  for  mine  ; — and  I am  more  convinced  now  than  ever, 
that  both  will  be  higher  than  it  ever  has  been. — The  high 
bounty  given  by  the  British  Parliament  for  the  importation 
of  both  these  articles  into  that  country  ; — the  scarcity  in 
Europe  generally,  and  the  great  demand  for  the  latter  in  the 
AVest  Indies;  will  raise  the  market  beyond  any  thing  ever 
known  in  this  countTy. — AVheat  at  this  moment  is  at  20/.  p'’ 
Bushel,  and  flour  at  fourteen  dollars  p^  Barrel  and  rising  in 
this  City. — Keep  me  advised  of  the  Alexandria  prices. — 

If  you  can  get  a good  workman  who  will  be  industrious 
and  sober  (and  not  extravagent)  it  would  not  only  be  my 


’ The  exact  date  of  Washington’s  Will  is  unknown,  a blank  being  left 
after  “ seventeen  hundred  and  ninety — The  information  requested  of 
Pearce  was  probably  desired  for  the  preparation  of  that  characteristic  docu- 
ment, in  which  his  own  negroes  are  carefully  distinguished,  from  those  of 
his  wife,  for  immediate  emancipation. 


224: 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


wish  to  have  the  North  end  of  the  Mansion  house  thoroughly 
repaired,  but  every  other  part  of  it ; with  the  Pillars  of  the  \ 
Piazza — covered  ways  to  the  Kitchen  and  Servants  hall,  com-  j 
pleatly  repaired  also  ; — together  with  the  sashes  of  all  the  I 

houses  where  they  require  it. — And  I would  have  Venetian 
blinds  made  for  the  'Windows  above,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
house  like  those  below,  but  to  fit  better  than  they  do. — Or,  if  f 

the  windows  are  so  framed  as  to  permit  it,  these  Venetian  ^ 

blinds  would  look,  and  be  better  on  the  out  side  ; to  open  and 
shut  (by  means  of  hinges)  like  those  on  the  front  door,  but  | 

in  a neater  Stile. — If  they  are  made  for  the  outside  above,  ;| 

the  same  must  be  below,  in  order  to  correspond  ; or  it  would  f| 

have  an  odd  appearance. — In  that  case  the  blinds  now  in  use  I 

may  be  worked  up. — It  must  be  a good  workman  to  execute  I 


these  several  jobs  (for  I would  have  none  of  them  done  in  a 
bungling  manner) — and  that  they  may  come  lighter  to  me,  as 
jobs  of  this  sort  must  be  undertaken  at  day  wages,  let  Isaac 
and  the  boy  assist,  under  his  direction,  in  slitting  out  and 
trying  up  the  stuff  from  the  rough. — 

The  check  which  DocP  Stuart  has  given  you  on  the  Bank 
of  Alexandria  you  may  lay  out  in  Stock  (or  shares)  therein. 
— I do  not  know  the  cost  of  a share,  but  if  it  wants  a little 
aid  to  complete  a share,  or  certain  number  of  shares,  and  you 
have  the  means  of  affording  it,  I would  have  you  do  so. — But 
tell  DocP  Stuart  when  you  see  him,  that  I apprehend  he  is 
under  a mistake  in  charging  me  three  years  hire  of  Peter. — 
The  last  time  he  paid  me  money  (which  cannot  be  three 
years  ago)  the  hire  of  Peter  was  allowed  for  therein  ; and  a 
receipt  taken  for  the  same ; or  else  my  memory  has  failed  me 
exceedingly. — This  however,  if  an  error,  can  easily  be  recti- 
fied by  having  recourse  to  that  settlement,  or  to  the  receipts. 

If  Mrs.  Davenport  means  to  remove  to  Norfolk,  you  may 
aid  her  with  a little  money  to  do  so ; — to  the  amount  of 
three,  four  or  five  pounds,  according  to  circumstances. — 

You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  advertisement,  which  is 


AND  MOUNT  VKIINON. 


2‘J5 

intended  more  as  an  essay  to  see  whether  I can  rent  my 
farms — [p'emainder  of  letter  misslnf. 

XCIII. 

Philadelphia  2P‘  Feh.  1700. 

Mu.  Pearce, 

Since  my  last  to  yon,  I have  received  your  letters  of  the 
7^^  and  Instant. 

I am  under  no  apprehension  of  flour  falling ; but  keep  me 
a<lvised  of  the  Alexandria  price. — The  fears  expressed  by  the 
purchasers,  of  its  falling,  is  calculated  to  alarm  the  Sellers. — 
They  know  full  well,  it  is  not  likely  to  happen. — The  scarcity 
and  demand  being  so  great. — 

As  I wish,  after  this  Crop  of  Wheat  is  ^lanufactured,  to 
Pent  my  Mill,  it  would  scarcely  be  worth  while  to  send  a 
Miller  from  hence,  even  if  I knew  where  to  get  one,  but 
that  1 do  not ; — and  therefore  would  have  you  do  as  well 
as  you  can  to  procure  one  yourself,  to  grind  up  the  present 
crop. — 

The  Gentlemen  who  think  250  dollars  a sufTicient  Pent 
for  my  Mill  differ  very  widely  from  me. — This  sum  would 
not  bring  me  2^  p*"  for  the  money  w*^^  has  been  expended 
on  her,  the  Pace,  Ac" — Mr.  Digges’  Mill  near  Pladensburgh 
Pented  for  £300  Maryk'  Money  p*'  Ann.  and  it  was  supposed 
would  go  much  higher  when  the  term  (which  is  now  about 
expiring)  was  out. — Put  of  this  you  may  get  particular  in- 
formation from  CoP  Fitzgerald  (one  of  the  Executors)  which 
I wish  you  would  do,  and  let  me  know. — Mr.  Digges’s  Mill 
may  have  a more  constant  stream  of  Water  than  mine,  but  in 
no  other  respect  is  better  ; — and  a considerable  alteration  will 
take  place  in  mine,  when  the  Xew  Pace  is  compleated. — 

Those  tenants  which  you  speak  of,  near  Mrs.  French’s, 
must  pay  more  than  20/.  Pent  for  every  acre  of  tillable  land 
they  possess ; few  of  them,  if  I am  not  mistaken,  having 
15 


22G 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


more  than  ten,  12,  or  fifteen  Acres  cleared  : and  it  was  the 
cost  of  tlie  cleared  land  I was  enquiring  after ; — not  what 
they  paid  for  a lot,  when  eight-tenths  of  it  might  be  in 
AVood  ; which  could  produce  them  nothing. — Mine  being 
cleared,  and  fit  for  the  plough,  I wanted  to  know  what  others 
got,  as  some  rule  to  fix  a value  thereon. — 

I do  not  understand  the  Alexandria  Printer's*  meaning, 
when  he  talks  of  not  having  tipes  to  spare  for  my  Adver- 
tisement.— Does  it  take  more  tipes  for  that,  than  any  other 
piece  of  the  same  length  ? — If  not,  would  he  not  have  the 
same  tipes  to  use  in  the  interval,  between  every  ])ublication 
whether  of  a week,  fortnight,  or  any  other  given  time? — 

I am  willing  to  encourage  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  if  it  is 
not  at  too  great  a loss,  in  the  purchase  of  Xew  shares,  and 
therefore  leave  you  at  liberty  to  apply  the  money  that  way 
under  that  restriction  only. — 

The  repairs  to  the  Xorth  end  of  the  Mansion  liouse,  and 
perhaps  some  others,  are  so  essential,  that  you  must  engage 
the  person  whom  you  had  in  view  to  do  them,  upon  the  best 
terms  you  can  ; whether  he  is  aided  by  the  Kegro  carpenters 
or  not. — 

I see  by  the  last  weeks  report  that  Csesar  has  been  absent 
six  days. — Is  he  a runaway  ? — If  so,  it  is  probable  he  will 
escape  altogether,  as  he  can  read,  if  not  write. — 

I thought  to  have  given  you  the  terms  on  which  I propose 
to  let  my  farms,  but  other  matters  have  engaged  me  so  much, 
that  I have  not  had  time  yet  to  digest  them  to  my  satisfac- 
tion ; but  you  shall  have  them  as  soon  as  I am  able  to  do 
it. — In  the  mean  time,  if  any  enquiries  have  been  made,  let 
me  know  it  and  the  tendency  of  them. — 

I am  sorry  you  entertain  a doubt  of  remaining  with  me 
another  year ; for  whether  I retain  the  farms  ; — Rent  them  ; — 

^Tlie  “Columbian  Mirror  and  Alexandria  Gazette,”  which  was  first  issued 
21  Nov.  1792.  It  had  a precursor  in  “The  Times  and  Alexandria  Adver- 
tiser,” which  was  in  existence  as  early  as  1786. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


227 


or  do  both,  in  part ; your  services  would  be  equally  essential 
to  me : and  iny  unwillingness  to  look  out  for  another  Manager 
would  be  equally  great : — especially  as  I sboidd,  so  soon  after, 
quit  public  life,  and  settle  myself  once  more  in  Peace,  under 
my  own  Vine  and  tig  tree  ; and  could,  thereafter,  atteml  more 
to  my  own  business  than  I am  able  to  do  at  present — And  as 
it  is  probable  too  your  health  may  bo  better,  after  you  are 
more  innured  to  a Water  situation.  For  these  reasons  I hope 
your  determination  is  not  so  fixed  but  it  will  be  altered. — 

1 w’ish  you  well,  and 

am  Vour  friend 

G®  Washington. 


XCIV. 

Philadelphia  9^**  ^lar.  179f). 

Mr.  Pearce, 

As  1 did  not  receive  your  letter  of  the  28^^*  ult®,  until  eight 
o’clock  last  night ; — and  am  hurried  this  morning  in  prepar- 
ing other  letters  for  the  l^ost. — I shall  do  no  more  than  in- 
form you,  that  besides  the  Cask  of  Clove  Seed  by  Capt”  Hand, 
— there  went  a small  box  of  Apple  grafts  for  the  Gardener. — 
The  apples  are  of  a most  extraordinary  large  size,  and  good 
for  eating. — Desire  Elder  (as  1 hope  he  will  receive  them  in 
time)  to  graft  them  carefully. — I do  not  know  what  name  the 
Apple  goes  by ; — but  he  may  distinguish  them  by — the  large 
Apple. — 

If  you  have  not  already  purchased  shares  in  the  Bank  of 
Alexandria,  desist  until  you  hear  further  from  me  ; — but  if 
you  have  done  it,  take  no  notice  of  this  countermand. 

I wish  you  better  health  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 


'22S 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


XCY. 

Philadelphia  13^^  March  1790. 

^1r.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  28*^^  of  Feb^  (as  I mentioned  in  a short 
letter  written  to  you  on  Wednesday  last)  did  not  reach  my 
hands  until  tuesday  evening  ; — and  I had  it  not  in  my  power 
next  morning,  before  closing  the  Mail,  to  mention  some  things 
which  I am  about  to  do  in  this  letter. — 

The  scarcity  of  Corn,  and  high  price  of  that  article  in  all 
the  Southern  States,  and  in  the  Southern  and  western  parts 
of  Virginia,  gives  serious  alarm. — Whether  I have  enough  to 
serve  me,  or  any  to  spare,  I know  not,  but  in  either  case,  I 
request  the  utmost  care  and  parsimony  may  be  observed  in 
using  it. — In  many  places  I am  told  it  is  at  six  and  seven  dol- 
lars a barrel  already  ; and  expected  to  rise. 

When  you  have  got  the  whole  of  the  New  ground  at  Man- 
sion house  properly  cleaned  up,  and  fit  for  the  Iloeand  plough  ; 
calculate  what  force  of  hands,  and  horses  it  will  take  to  culti- 
vate it;  and  well ; in  Corn  this  year  ; and  that  you  may  be 
certain  of  accomplishing  it  as  it  ought  to  be;  (as  my  great 
object  is  to  kill  the  roots,  and  destroy  the  sprouts,  so  as  to  fit 
it  for  grass)  I would,  if  there  be  any  doubt  of  effecting  this  in 
the  manner  here  expressed,  have  the  Corn  ground  else  where 
reduced  : — especially  too  as  I should  like  to  have  the  waste 
ground,  adjoining  to  the  last  years  corn,  at  the  same  place, 
also  brought  into  cultivation  ; and  for  the  same  purpose  as 
the  other  ; — that  is — that  it  may  be  thoroughly  reclaimed 
from  Poots,  sprouts  and  Shrubs  ; and  laid  to  grass. — As  there 
were  many  ugly  gullies  in  the  part  last  mentioned,  I hope  you 
have  had,  or  will  have  them  filled  up,  with  the  brush  Ac® 
from  the  other  parts. — Xot  being  sure  that  I gave  you  a plat 
of  these  grounds,  I do  it  now ; that  by  knowing  the  exact 
quantity  you  may  calculate  your  force  accordingly  ; — allowing, 
as  no  doubt  you  will,  for  the  extra  : labour  of  working  Xew 


AND  MOUNT  \^UNON. 


"round,  where  there  will  be  so  many  interruptions  by  roots 
vV:c“ ; and  old  "round,  where  the  Plough  run  smooth  and 
easy. — Let  all  the  Trees  have  been  left,  (as  well  this  year 
as  formerly)  except  where  they  stand  in  clumps,  be  trimmed 
to  one  even  height  from  the  ground  ; and  as  high  as  they 
well  can  be,  by  means  of  a Chizzel  and  Staff. — To  do  this 
properly,  will  have  a two  fold  effect ; — 1"*,  by  lopping  off  so 
many  limbs,  and  so  high  up,  the  shade,  and  of  course  the  in- 
jury to  the  corn,  will  be  less; — and  2^“^,  it  will  add  beauty  to 
the  appearance  of  the  trees,  when  they  get  to  be  of  larger 
growth. — 

Altho'  1 am  under  no  apprehension  of  Flour  falling  in 
price  (but,  on  the  contrary,  that  it  will  continue  to  rise, 
especially  if  the  British  forces  have  arrived  in  the  AVest 
Indies,  of  which  I believe  there  is  no  doubt)  I would  have 
you  keep  me  regularly  informed  of  the  Alexandria  price  of 
this  article,  and  the  terms  of  payment ; that  1 may  know 
when  to  strike. — And  that  it  may  all  go  together,  I beg  you 
to  exert  your  best  endeavors  to  complete  the  grinding  of  my 
Wheat  as  soon  as  possible. — Let  me  know  the  number  of 
Barrels  you  have  on  hand,  and  how  many  more  there  prob- 
ably will  be  from  the  supposed  quantity  of  AVheat  yet  to 
deliver. — If  the  Miller’s  weekly  report  was  to  contain  the 
quantity  of  Hour  on  hand  it  would  save  me  these  enquiries. 
— Whenever  it  is  sold,  take  care  to  reserve  a full  quantity 
for  my  Table — and  the  demands  of  those  who  are  to  be  sup- 
plied by  agreement. — 

I wish  to  know  from  CoP  Fitzgerald  what  the  Bent  of 
Mr.  Digges  Mill  near  Bladensburgh  is. — What  Bickets  pays 
for  Bird’s  near  Alexandria ; — and  that  you  w*^  extend  your 
enquiries  as  much  as  you  can,  and  let  me  know  the  result. — 
I cannot  speak  with  certainty  for  want  of  the  accounts,  but 
should  suppose  that  £100  p^  Ann.  for  my  Mill  would  fall  far 
short  of  the  common  interest  of  the  money  she  has  cost  me ; 
including  the  labour  of  my  own  People. — 


230 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I never  supposed  you  had  made  any  mistake  in  giving  an 
acc*^  of  the  Rents  which  Mrs.  French,  and  those  about  her, 
received  for  their  Lands,  by  the  liundred  acres. — The  tend- 
ency of  my  enquiries  was  to  ascertain  a fact — viz — If  She,  or 
they,  give  leases  for  lots  containing  100  acres  each,  what  pro- 
portion of  that  hundred  acres  is  cleared,  and  in  order  for 
cultivation  ? — If  the  Tenant  gives  fifteen  pounds  for  an 
hundred  ac®  and  there  is  only  fifteen  acres  of  that  hundred 
cleared,  he  does  (until  more  is  arable)  actually  pay  20/.  per 
acre  for  the  cultivable  Land. — Therefore,  as  the  Land  I 
propose  to  let,  is  already  in  order  for  the  Plough — I 
wanted  to  draw  a comparison  between  what  I ask  for  my 
fields,  and  others  give  by  the  acre  for  cleared  land,  already  in 
order  for  tillage. — I do  not  know  that  my  conjectures  with 
respect  to  the  tenements  about  ^Irs.  French’s  are  well  founded  ; 
— but  if  they  are,  and  in  a hundred  acre  lot,  there  be  not 
more  than  15  or  20  acres  of  arable,  those  tenants  pay  double 
what  I ask  for  my  land  ; supposing  a dollar  to  be  the  medium 
price  of  a Bushel  of  Wheat; — and  yet  I have  not  much 
expectation  of  letting  my  farms  on  the  terms  I offer  them ; 
as  of  ten  terrify  more  than  realities. — The  truth  is,  if  I 

do  not  get  what  I conceive  to  be  an  adequate  Rent,  and  good 
tenants,  who  will  do  justice  to  the  land,  I shall  not  rent  them 
at  all. — The  terms  have  been  forwarded  to  you  in  a former 
letter. — It  is  not  my  intention  to  let  the  Xegros  with  the 
farms. — But  you  may,  nevertheless,  when  enquiries  are  made 
know  what  could  be  obtained  for  both,  <fec®. 

IJntil  all  danger  from  frost  is  over,  mention  in  your  let- 
ters how  the  Winter  grain  looks: — and  when  this  danger 
is  past,  inform  me  how  it  appears ; whether  the  ground  is 
sufficiently  stored  with  it;  and  whether  the  naked  places 
are  numerous  and  large. — Do  not  spare  the  Roller  if  you 
should  be  of  opinion  that  good  would  result  from  the  use  of 
it. — 

My  public  duties  press  so  much  upon  me,  that  unless  some- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


231 


thing  occurs,  to  remind  me  of  my  private  concerns  tliey 
escape  me  altogether. — This  would  liave  been  the  case  with 
respect  to  the  Jacks,  and  Stud  horse  had  you  not  mentioned 
Allison’s  recpiest. — Had  it  occurred  in  time,  I intended  to 
have  informed  you,  that  both  Col°  Hall  (near  Lecsburgh)  and 
Mr.  Kol/  Lewis  (near  Fauquier  Court  house)  had  sug- 
gested, that  one  of  my  Jacks,  at  either  of  those  ])laces,  would 
have  ^lany  Mares  sent  to  him. — And  I should  have  added, 
that  I did  not  object  to  the  measure  ; but  would  leave  it  to 
you  and  l*eter  (the  last  of  whom  ought  by  this  time  to  know 
which  it  would  be  best  for  me  to  retain)  to  say  which  should 
go. — Xow,  I j)resume  it  is  too  late  in  the  Season  to  change 
their  destination  ; for  before  one  could  be  got  to  either  of 
those  Gentlemen,  and  notice  thereof  given,  the  covering  sea- 
son would  be  far  advanced. — After  mentioning  these  things 
I still  leave  it  to  you  to  do  what  you  conceive  will  be  most 
conducive  to  my  interest. — If  either  of  those  Gentlemen  was 
to  get  either  of  the  Jacks,  two  things  I should  insist  upon — 

the  utmost  care  of  the  animal ; — and  2^^*^  Xo  credit  to  be 
given  ; at  least  for  the  part  which  is  to  fall  to  my  share,  for 
there  is  no  collect^  debts  of  this  sort. 

I know  nothing  of  Thomas  Allison’s  circumstances,  respon- 
sibility, Plan  or  terms, — consequently  can  say  nothing  relative 
to  his  ofFer. — But  as  he  lives  in  the  same  neighbourhood,  and 
cannot,  I should  suppose,  be  provided  with  either  Stable, 
Forage  or  Pasturage  fit  for  such  purposes,  I do  not  see  what 
more  is  to  be  expected  from  sending  the  horse  there,  than 
keeping  him  at  Mount  Vernon ; (especially  as  his  profits 
would  be  to  be  deducted  from  the  earnings  of  the  coverings : 
and  besides,  I thought  the  horse  was  necessary  to  be  with  the 
Jacks,  to  try  the  Mares  by. — 

As  you  have  already  taken  ten  shares  in  the  Alexandria 
Bank,  I am  very  well  satisfied  thereat ; and  that  it  should  so 
remain. 

Open  and  Mild  as  the  winter  has  been,  will  you  not  have 


232 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Hay  to  sell  ? — In  that  case,  how  much,  and  what  is  the  price 
of  it  in  Alex® — I remain  Your  friend 


P.  S. 


G°  Washington. 


Your  letter  of  the  6^^  instant  came  to  hand  yesterday,  but 
there  is  nothing  contained  in  it,  that  is  not  already  noticed  in 
the  aforegoing  letter. — 


XCYL 

Philadelphia  27^  Mar.  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Yesterday  brought  me  your  letter  of  the  20''^  instant,  with 
the  Eeports  of  the  preceding  week. — 

I am  sorry  to  find  by  it  that  your  winter  grain  has  changed 
its  appearance,  for  the  worse  ; and  that  your  fences  have  been 
so  much  deranged  by  the  high  wind  you  have  had — in  a 
greater  degree  I think  than  it  was  here — tho’  it  was  very 
violent  with  us  also. — These  being  acts  of  Providence,  and 
not  within  our  controul,  I never  repine  at  them  : — but  if  the 
Poller  will  be  of  any  use  to  the  grain  I beg  it  may  be  applied. 
— Let  the  damage  which  the  Cupulo,  and  otlier  things  have 
sustained  from  the  wind,  be  repaired  as  soon  as  possible. 

I would  not  have  you  undertake  more  of  the  New  ground 
in  Corn  than  you  can  cultivate  with  the  Mansion  house 

and  Muddy-hole  hands ; assisted  as  much  as  possible  (at  con- 
venient times)  by  those  from  the  other  farms. — It  was  always 
my  intention  and  expectation,  that  the  whole  would  have  been 
tilled  in  Corn  ; and  the  field  at  Muddy-hole  which,  otherwise, 
would  have  been  in  this  article,  would  have  lain  over  to  an- 
other year. — I went  upon  the  principle  that  it  was  of  very 
little  use  to  clear  and  grub  ground,  if  it  was  not  cultivated  ; 
because  in  a year  or  two  it  would  be  as  foul  as  ever. — How- 
ever, I do  not  make  this  observation  with  a view  to  stimulate 
you  to  attempt  more  than  you  can  execute  comjpleatly ; for 
that  would  not  only  defeat  the  view  of  preparing  the  field  for 


AND  MOUNT  VEHNON. 


233 


grass,  but  by  not  cultivating  it  well,  would  bo  the  loss  of  the 
Crop. — 

I am  under  no  apprehension,  or  fear,  that  flour  with  you, 
will  not  again  take  a start ; — it  is  now  at  1(3  dollars  in  this 
city  ; and  every  account  from  Europe  develoj)es  more  and 
more  the  scarcity  of  it  there,  besides  the  demand  for  it  in  the 
'West  Indies  ; but  dispose  of  yours  (if  you  can)  on  the  terms 
mentioned  in  a former  letter ; and  let  me  know  from  time  to 
time  what  the  current  price  is. — 

You  say  Compound  may  be  spared,  but  do  not  add  that  he 
wUl^  or  to  whom^  altho’  I left  both  altogether  to  your  own 
discretion. — Xo  time  is  to  be  lost  if  he  goes  at  all — Mr.  Lewis 
would,  probably  attend  more  to  him  than  Col°  Hall — and  is, 
besides,  an  Agent  of  mine  for  other  purposes. — 

From  the  present  state  of  the  business  in  Congress,  I see  very 
little  prospect  of  its  rising  before  June  ; — of  course  I shall  not 
be  able  to  visit  Mount  Vernon  at  an  earlier  period. — From 
hence  you  can  form  as  good  a judgment  of  my  wants  as  I can, 
of  Hay. — 

I am  Your  friend  Ac* 

AVasiiingt(»n. 

P.S. 

Enclosed  is  a Letter,  and  some  certificates  from  Mr.  Butler. 
— Let  the  letter  be  given  to  him  ; and  if  his  distresses  are 
truly  represented,  give  him  five  or  Six  dollars  ; — or  more  if  it 
appears  that  he  merits  tliem : — But  tell  him  at  the  same  time, 
his  claim  on  me  is  no  greater  than  on  any  other ; and  there- 
fore not  to  think  of  establishing  it. — And  with  respect  to  the 
school,  I have  nothing  to  do  in  providing  Tutors  for  it. — 

XCVII. 

Philadelphia  3*^  April  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  27*^^  ult°,  with  a Postscript  of  the  29*\ 
came  duly  to  hand  yesterday. — 


234 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


As  I have  expectation  that  by  the  time  this  letter  will  have 
reached  you,  a Vessel  from  Liverpool  called  the  Commerce, 
will  have  arrived  at  George  Town  with  eight  bushels  of  the 
field  Pea  ; — as  much  of  the  Chiccory  as  will  sow  four  acres  of 
land  ; — and  eight  bushels  of  the  Winter  Vetch — for,  and  on 
my  account,  I request  you  to  have  the  two  first  sowed  as  soon 
as  you  are  able.' — By  looking  into  some  of  the  farming  books 
I lent  you,  you  will  discover  what  quantity  of  the  Pease  to 
allow  to  the  Acre. — If  these  sh*^  be  silent,  allow  two  bushels 
sowed  broad  cast : — at  any  rate  do  not  give  as  much  as  the 
English  husbandry  directs,  for  the  quantity  allowed  in  that 
country  (formerly  at  least)  greatly  exceeds  ours. — I sent  for 
as  much  Chiccory  as  would  sow  four  acres  of  ground,  but  not 
mentioning  whether  in  drils  or  broad  cast,  I am  unable  to  give 
you  any  particular  direction  on  this  head  ; and  therefore  must 
leave  it  to  yourself  to  judge  from  the  quantity  of  seed,  whether 
it  is  designed  for  four  acres  broad  cast,  or  four  acres  in  drills 
that  the  seed  is  adequate  to. — The  Vetches  must  be  secured 
in  the  Seed  loft  for  fall  sowing. — 

If  the  Chiccory  is  as  valuable  for  Soiling  horses  (that  is 
giving  it  to  them  green)  as  I am  told  it  is ; I think  it  would 
be  desirable  to  allow  a proportional  quantity  of  it  to  each  of 
the  four  farms  ; — to  be  sown  as  convenient  as  may  be  to  the 
Stables. — As  you  did  not,  in  enumerating  the  different  places 
in  which  Oats  were  to  be  sowed,  mention  any  for  the  ground 
that  was  in  Potatoes,  near  the  quarter,  at  Mansion  house ; I 
think,  if  it  is  yet  unsown,  it  would  be  a good  spot  (or  as  much 
thereof  as  is  necessary)  to  sow  the  Pease  in  : — and  I see  no 
reason  why  clover  may  not  be  sown  with  them,  as  well  as  with 

^ On  the  22  May  1796  Washington  sent  through  Mr.  Pinckney,  in  London, 
his  thanks  to  Lord  Grenville  (with  whom  the  Jay  Treaty  had  been  negoti- 
ated), “for  his  politeness  in  causing  a special  permit  to  he  sent  to  Liverpool 
for  the  shipment  of  two  sacks  of  field  peas,  and  the  like  quantity  of  winter 
vetches,  which  I had  requested  our  Consul  at  that  place  to  send  me  for  seed, 
hut  which  it  seems  could  not  he  done  without  an  order  from  the  govern- 
ment.” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


235 


Oats. — If  this  ground  should  have  been  seeded  already — sow 
them  wherever  you  please ; and  with  as  little  delay  as  pos- 
sible.— Do  the  same  with  the  Chiccory,  as  the  Season  is  get- 
ting late — and  if  it  continues  dry  they  will  come  to  nothing 
without. 

In  one  of  my  letters,  I mentioned  planting  the  vacant 
ground  in  the  Corn  field,  at  Mansion  H°,  with  Corn,  along 
with  the  Kew  ground; — but  in  my  next  letter,  I suggested 
the  idea  of  putting  it  in  Oats,  to  avoid  letting  the  other  part 
lying  waste,  or  the  expence  of  a fence. — But  I leave  it  to 
you  to  do  what  you  think  best,  or  rather  what  you  are  able 
to  accomplish. — My  plan  always  was,  and  always  wfill  be,  to 
attempt  no  more  than  can  be  executed  well.  And  this  made 
me  desirous  of  cultivating  all  the  Kew  ground ; being  well 
convinced  that  it  will  soon  be  as  bad  as  ever,  if  the  roots 
and  sprouts  are  not  destroyed  by  this  means. — 

In  one  of  your  late  letters,  speaking  of  the  damage  done  by 
the  Mind,  you  mentioned  its  having  blown  down  many 
Trees : — it  did  not  occur  to  me  at  that  time,  that  this  might 
have  happened  to  the  Trees  in  the  yards,  gardens,  or  Lawns. — 
If  this  was  the  case,  I hope  they  were  set  up  again. — 

If  the  locust  Posts  for  the  circle,  are  ready,  let  them  be  put 
up. — And  if  you  should  sell  the  fiour  on  the  terms  I have 
mentioned,  take  care  that  the  payment  is  well  secured. — 

Mr.  Minor  has  recommended  a Mr.  Darnes,^  as  a Tenant, 
whom  he  thinks  would  preserve  my  land  near  Alexandria 
from  the  Tresspasses  it  undergoes ; and  I have,  in  the  en- 
closed letter  (left  open  for  your  perusal)  requested  him  to 
put  the  said  Darnes  on. — Let  the  letter  be  sent  to  him  that 
he  may  certainly  get  it.  (And  let  Mr.  Darnes  have  the  field 
you  speak  of,  and  more  ground  if  necessary,  to  put  a house 
on. — But  make  your  agreement  with  him  in  writing ; that 
there  may  be  no  mistakes. — I should  not  incline  to  give  him 


’ Mr.  George  Minor  and  Mr.  Darnes  were  both  overseers  of  the  poor. 


236 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


a surety  of  the  place  for  more  than  5,  6 or  7 y” — for  the  rest 
I care  not.) 

Unless  I rent  my  Farms,  and  I have  very  little  expectation 
of  doing  it,  for  the  next  year,  I shall  be  indifferent  about 
renting  my  Mill ; unless  tempted  by  a good  price  : — but  with- 
out letting  this  be  known  you  may  learn  from  Mr.  Gill  what 
his  friend,  or  any  other,  would  give  for  her,  for  the  term  of 
years  I have  offered  her. — 

Let  me  know  the  exact  size  of  the  Chimney  in  the  ]^ew 
room,  at  the  Mansion  house; — that  is,  how  wide  at  the 
front,  and  at  the  back,  and  how  deep  at  the  sides ; — and 
whether  the  sides  are  of  Marble. — Let  me  know  also  how 
far  the  chimney  piece  projects  from  the  plaistering  above 
it ; — whether  there  is  a middle  part  that  projects  more  than 
the  rest; — how  much,  and  the  width  of  it,  &c^;  and  w^hat 
the  whole  length  of  the  chimney  piece  at  top  is,  from  side 
to  side  or  end  to  end. — 

I am  your  friend  and  well  wisher 

G°  Washington. 


XCYIII. 


Mr.  Pearce, 

If  Mrs.  Green  and  her  family  are  really  in  distress,  afford 
them  some  relief  ; — I cannot  say  to  what  amount,  because  that 
depends  upon  the  nature  and  extent  of  it. — But  in  my  opinion 
it  had  better  be  in  anything  than  money,  for  I very  strongly 
suspect  that  all  that  has,  and  perhaps  all  that  will  be  given  to 
her  in  that  article,  is  applied  more  in  rigging  herself,  than  in 
the  purchase  of  real  and  useful  necessaries  for  her  family. — 
To  aid  her  in  this  way  is  not  my  intention — but  you  will,  from 
enquiry,  know  what  her  real  situation  is,  and  govern  yourself 
thereby. — 

If  She  cannot  support  her  children  she  ought  to  bind  them 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


237 


to  good  Masters  and  Mistresses,  who  will  learn  them  Trades 
and  do  that  justice  bj  them  which  the  Law  directs. 

I am  Yours  &c^ 

G®  Washington. 

4^^  April  1796. 

[Enclosed] 


Alexandria  March  23,  1796. 


Sir, 

I am  sorry  that  I have  to  trouble  you  once  more  in  craving 
your  Assistance  but  my  Situation  and  Distress  is  such  as  in- 
duces me  to  intrude  on  your  Generosity  Myself  and  Children 
have  been  for  some  time  sick  and  still  continue  so ; if  you 
please  consider  my  Distress  and  helplessness  and  send  me 
what  relief  you  may  please  to  think  proper  your  past  kindness 
to  me  gives  me  a hope  that  you  will  still  Regard  the  petition 
of  your  Hum'^  Ser^ 

Sarah  Green. — 


XCIX. 

Philadelphia  10^^  April  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  3*^  instant,  with  the  Weekly  reports,  was 
received  yesterday ; and  I have  also  seen  Mr.  Lear,  who  ar- 
rived here  yesterday  about  the  same  time. — 

As  there  is  no  prospect  from  the  last  European  accounts 
(down  to  the  first  of  March)  of  Peace ; but  on  the  contrary, 
every  appearance  of  a vigorous  prosecution  of  the  War — at 
least  for  another  C^iinpaign — and  they  speak  (tho’  fiour  is 
low  in  some  parts)  of  a general  scarcity,  and  rise  of  it  in 
others  ; — particularly  in  London  : — I am  not  under  the  small- 
est apprehension  of  getting  fifteen  dollars  p’^  barrel  for  mine, 
even  at  a shorter  credit  than  Six  months  ; but  as  I wish  to 
have  it  off  my  hands,  as  the  warm  weather  is  coming  on, 
which  may  occasion  it  to  sour,  besides  being  liable  to  other 


238 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


accidents,  I consent  to  your  selling  it  to  Mr.  Smith  for  fifteen 
dollars  on  a credit  of  Six  months;  provided  he  will  give  a 
negociable  note,  with  a good  Endorser,  on  the  Bank  of  Alex- 
andria.— But,  as  there  will  have  been  a lapse  of  time  between 
the  conversation  you  had  with  Mr.  Smith’s  Clerk,  and  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  letter,  it  would  be  prudent,  before  3^011  offer  him 
the  fiour  on  the  above  terms,  to  sound,  and  to  discover  from 
him,  whether  he  is  still  disposed  and  authorised  to  make  such 
a contract. — and  if  he  is, — or  if  Mr.  Smith  himself  sh^  be  re- 
turned from  hTew  York  (which  I think  highly  probable)  to 
see  if  }mu  could  not  sell  it  to  him  at  a shorter  credit ; but  if 
you  cannot,  then,  and  in  that  case,  to  dispose  of  it  at  a credit 
of  Six  months  for  fifteen  dolE®  per  barrel. — get  rid  of  the 
midlings  and  Ship  stuff  also — that  the  whole  may  be  off  your 
hands. 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  only  rain  (and  that  a light  one) 
which  you  have  had  of  late,  should  be  attended  with  such  high 
and  destructive  winds  to  your  fences. — I fear  your  Overseers 
do  not  see  that  the  fences  are  well  made,  by  their  meeting 
with  such  frequent  accidents. — The  winds  have  been  ver\" 
high  here  also,  but  the  same  disasters  have  not  resulted  from 
them. — 

You  have- either  misunderstood  me,  or  I must  have  ex- 
pressed myself  very  odly  about  the  Jacks,  for  I never  had  any 
idea  of  parting  with  more  than  one  of  them  ; and  left,  or  in- 
tended to  leave  it,  to  you  and  Peter,  to  determine  whether 
that  one  should  be  Compound,  or  the  Knight  of  Malta  ; ' not 
intending  to  use  the  3"Oung  Jack  at  all,  this  season  ; or  if  any, 
at  least  very  sparingly. — As  the  Season  is  now,  or  soon  will 
be  far  spent,  you  had  better  part  with  neither  ; unless  one  of 
them  is  actually  gone,  or  engaged  to  go  to  Mr.  Lewis. — 

Keep  a little  good  Haj  for  my  horses,  as  I should  prefer 

* The  grand  name  was  probably  given  by  Peter,  a negro  who  supervised 
Washington’s  stud,  and  of  whom  he  once  wrote  that  he  (Peter)  seemed  “ to 
regard  it  as  a degradation  to  attend  to  horses  of  plebean  birth.  ” 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


239 


old  to  new  for  them, — and  may,  tho’  I do  not  expect  it,  be  at 
Mt.  Yernon  before  June. — 

I hope  the  Gardener  tried  the  Graffs  altho’  the  Season  was 
late,  as  they  were  of  a peculiar  kind  of  Apple. 

I wish  the  end  may  be  better,  than  you  represent  the  be- 
ginning, of  your  fishery  to  be  ; as  continual  bad  seasons  would 
be  discouraging. — I am 

Your  friend 

, G°  Washington. 

C. 

• Philadelphia  17^^  April  1796. 

Me.  Peaece, 

Your  letter  of  the  10^^  insP  with  a Postscript  three  days 
later,  came  to  hand  in  due  course  of  Post. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  Maria  continues  unwell — and  that 
Charles  Washington^  was  siezed  with  a fever : Let  them  want 
for  nothing,  and  whenever  it  is  needful,  get  DocP  Craik  to 
attend  them. — 

It  would  be  unlucky,  as  my  crop  of  Wheat  last  year  turned 
out  but  indifferently,  and  tlie  prospect  of  a good  one  this 
year,  bad  ; if  I should  have  missed  the  best  Market  for  flour. 
— If  there  ever  was  good  cause  for  flour’s  selling  for  fifteen 
dollars  per  barrel,  hitherto  ; there  is  none,  that  I know  of, 
for  the  fall  in  the  price  of  this  article  now ; for  all 
accounts  from  Europe  agree,  that  the  Crops  of  Wheat  are 
very  short,  and  the  apprehensions  of  the  Want  of  bread, 
great. — Under  these  circumstances  I am  at  a loss  to  what  to 
ascribe  the  reduced  price,  and  therefore  will  keep  mine  up  for 
the  price  mentioned  in  my  last ; until  I have  better  evidence 
than  appears  to  me  at  present,  for  this  fall. — but  authorise 
you,  as  I did  in  my  last,  to  take  Mr.  Smiths  offer,  if  you  can- 
not obtain  better  terms. 

If  a good  occasion  offers,  I will  make  some  enquiry  of  Mr. 

1 A 


negro. 


240 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Christie  into  the  character  of  Mr.  Joseph  Gallop,  and  his 
brothers ; — not  that  I expect  there  is  any  chance  of  agreeing 
with  them ; first,  because  I do  not  want  the  Land  and  bTegros 
to  go  together. — and  2'^^  because  2000  bushels  of  Wheat  p”^ 
ann.  for  River  farm  is  very  little  more  for  the  land,  Negros 
and  Stock,  than  what  I ask  for  the  land  alone ; as  there  is 
1207.  acres  within  the  present  fences,  of  ploughable  ground. 
— I knew,  that  by  fixing  the  Rent  in  Wheat  (while  it  bore  so 
high  a price)  would  make  it  appear  high  ; — but  I believe  no 
reasonable  person  expects,  when  Peace  is  established,  that  it 
will,  be  more  than  a dollar. — and  if  it  was  more,  that  the 
trouble  or  expence  in  raising  it  would  be  greater. — Besides,  as 
Wheat  is  a staple  article,  it  will  be  the  standard  or  regulating 
price  of  other  articles : and  is  equal  and  just,  for  both  Land- 
lord and  Tenant ; for  otherwise,  if  instead  of  a bushel  and 
half  of  Wheat  p’^  acre,  I was  to  set  a dollar  and  half,  and  the 
former  should  rise,  by  degrees,  to  25/ ; and  other  things  (which 
I might  have  occasion  to  buy)  in  proportion  ; a money  rent, 
under  such  circumstances,  would  be  ruinous  to  me  / on  the 
other  hand,  if  it  was  at  £5.  p’^  Bushel,  the  Rent  (for  the  reason 
already  mentioned,  namely,  that  it  costs  the  Tenant  no  more 
to  raise  it)  would  not  be  oppressive  to  him ; and  even  if  it 
were  to  be  bo*  if  the  price  of  a Cow,  a sheep,  or  a hog  bore  a 
proportionate  price,  the  difficulty  in  paying  for  it  would  not 
be  greater  than  if  it  was  at  6/.  and  the  price  of  other  articles 
was  governed  thereby. — 

Are  all  the  repairs  to  the  Mansion  and  other  houses  com- 
pleted ? — If  the  windows  in  the  Corn  and  hay  lofts,  over  the 
stables,  and  on  the  back  side,  are  not  put  in,  I request  they 
may  be ; as  both  lofts  and  Stables  wants  Air  exceedingly. — 

' If  Mr.  Robt*  Lewis  has  not  been  to  M*  Yernon,  keep  the 
enclosed  until  his  arrival — but  if  he  has  been  there  and  gone 
let  it  go  to  the  Post  Office. — 

I am  Your  fr^  ifec'^ 

Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


241 


CL 

Philadelphia  24*^^^  April  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  sorry  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  17^^  instant,  accom- 
panying the  reports  of  the  preceeding  week,  that  the  drought 
continued ; and  that  the  prospect  for  good  crops  of  small 
grain  was  so  unpromising. — I should  hope,  however,  that  they 
cannot  be  so  much  injured  yet,  as  not  to  be  recovered  by  sea- 
sonable weather. — If  the  grain  stands  sufficiently  thick  on  the 
ground,  I shall  not  regard  the  backwardness  of  it,  occasioned 
by  the  want  of  rain  ; — running  much  into  straw  is  no  service 
to  the  grain. — I had  fiattered  myself  (until  your  letter  was 
received)  that  the  fine  rain  which  fell  in  these  parts  on  Sat- 
urday the  16^^  instant  had  extended  to  you. — The  alteration 
occasioned  by  it,  both  in  grain  and  grass  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  this  city,  is  very  great  indeed. — 

I wish,  as  your  prospect  for  grain  is  discouraging,  that  it 
may,  in  a degree,  be  made  up  in  a good  fishing  season  for 
Herrings  ; — that  for  Shad,  must,  I presume,  be  almost,  if  not 
quite  over. — 

As  I can  see  no  permanent  cause  for  the  fall,  in  the  price 
of  fiour,  and  believe  it  will  rise  again ; I am  not,  at  this  time 
at  least,  disposed  to  take  less  for  mine  than  has  been  men- 
tioned in  my  former  letters  to  you  : — but  continue  to  advise 
me,  always,  of  the  Alexandria  price  of  this  article ; that  I 
may  know  better  how  to  govern  myself. — 

I expected  Mr.  Eobert  Lewis’s  collection  would  have 
amounted  to  more  than  £169.17.6 — and  the  promised  draught 
for  forty  pounds,  which  you  had  not,  at  the  time  of  writing, 
received. — This,  and  other  money,  except  for  current  ex- 
pences,  had  better  be  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria, 
as  a place  of  security ; and  from  whence  it  can  be  drawn 
when  wanted. 

Since  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  10^^,  I have  seen  Mr. 

16 


242 


GEORGE  WASHINGTOX 


Hughs,  to  whom  Joseph  Gallop  and  his  brothers  are  tenants, 
on  Spesusa  Island. — He  speaks  of  them  in  favorable  terms  ; 
as  honest,  industrious  men,  and  good  farmers. — But  it  is  some- 
what extraordinary  that  the  one  who  was  with  you,  should 
entertain  an  idea  of  giving  no  more  than  2000  bushels  of 
Wheat  as  a rent  for  Biver  farm,  with  all  the  Negros  and 
Stock  thereon  ; when,  for  450  acres  only^  (about  the  half  of 
Spesusa  Island,  for  Mr.  Hughs  says  they  have  no  more  ground 
tho’  they  are  allowed  the  use  of  the  Marsh  for  their  Cattle  to 
run  upon)  they  pay  him  annually  1200  bushels  of  Wheat  and 
1500  bushels  of  Indian  Corn  : — and  before  these  men  had  it, 
the  same  part  rented  for  30/.  p’^'  Acre. — This,  reckoning  two 
bushels  of  Indian  Corn  for  one  of  Wheat,  makes  1950  bushels 
of  the  latter,  or  more  than  four  bushels  of  it  to  the  acre ; 
without  labourers,  or  stock  of  any  kind  furnished  by  him. — 
It  is  true  that  the  Land  on  the  Island  is  good,  and  there  is  an 
advantage  in  the  Marsh,  as  a range ; but  these  are  far  short 
of  compensating  for  the  difference  between  Six  pecks  of 
wheat,  which  is  all  I ask  as  rent  p^  acre  for  mine,  and  17^ 
pecks  which  (allowing  2 bush^®  of  Corn  for  one  of  wheat)  he 
gets  for  his. — I fixed  mine  at  a moderate  rent  because  I 
wanted  to  induce  good  farmers  to  settle  thereon — and  would 
wish  to  see  them  thrive ; which  ’would  enable  them  to  do 
justice  to,  and  improve  the  premises  ; which  will  be  a primary 
object  with  me. — 

What  prospect  have  you  for  fruit  this  year  ? — Has  it  sus- 
tained any  injury  yet  from  the  frosts  ? — Have  you  altered  the 
fields  N°  2 and  3 at  Dogue-run,  agreably  to  the  line  of  stakes 
set  up  while  I was  last  at  home. — Is  your  Lucern  seed  sown  ? 
— and  how  does  that,  the  Chiccory,  and  Clover  seed  come  up. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  Maria  and  Charles  have  got  well 
again. — 

I wish  you  health  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


243 


CII. 

Philadelphia  May  1796. 

Me.  Peaece, 

Your  letter  of  the  24*^^  iilt®  has  been  received,  and  I am 
sorry  to  find  by  it  that  the  drought  still  continued  with  you. — 
On  this  day  week  there  Avas  a very  good  rain  here,  and  on 
Wednesday  following  a great  deal  fell ; but  the  weather  has 
been  windy,  cold  and  disagreeable  ever  since : — notwithstand- 
ing which,  the  Grain  and  grass  in  these  parts  look  extremely 
well. — 

I am  glad  to  find  that  you  were,  at  the  date  of  your  letter, 
so  near  the  completion  of  Corn-planting ; and  hope,  if  you 
have  had  the  late  rains,  that  it  will  have  come  up  well,  for  I 
think  this  happens  best  when  it  is  planted  dry,  and  rains 
come  after. — 

I wrote  you  on  friday  last  (and  put  the  letter  under  cover 
to  Mr.  Lear)  informing  you,  that  the  Seeds  were  arrived  at 
last ; at  George  Town  : — and  expressing  an  earnest  wish  that 
the  Peas  and  Chiccory  might  be  got  into  the  ground  as  soon 
as  possible  and  that  the  Peas,  as  they  were  of  two  distinct 
sorts — might  be  seperately,  and  distinctly  sown. — I wished 
also,  that  the  Chiccory  might  be  sown  as  convenient  to  the 
Stables  at  the  different  farms,  as  fit  ground  could  be  obtained  ; 
as  it  was  designed  to  be  cut  and  fed  green  to  the  work  horses. 
— The  AVinter  vetch  must  be  carefully  preserved  till  Autumn, 
as  that  is  the  season  for  sowing  it. 

I am  sorry  to  find  that  flour  continues  to  depreciate  in  price  ; 
but  the  present  cause  for  this  is,  the  dispute  in  the  House  of 
Hepresentatives  respecting  the  provisions  for  carry  [ing]  the 
British  Treaty  into  effect ; which  has,  for  sometime  past,  oc- 
casioned a suspension  in  purchasing,  shipping,  and  the  Insur- 
ance of  all  sorts  of  property : but  as  the  discussion  is  now 
brought  to  a close,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  and  expected,  that  mat- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


ters  will  recover  their  former  tone  again.^ — At  any  rate,  I will 
risque  there  getting  worse,  rather  than  take  the  present  Alex- 
andria price  for  my  flour : — but  I repeat  what  I have  said 
in  former  letters,  that  1 will  take  15  dollars,  at  6 months 
credit. — 

By  a letter  which  I received  from  Mr.  Bob^  Lewis  (dated 
in  Alexandria,  the  21®^  of  last  month)  he  informs  me  that  he 
had  left  for,  and  on  my  acc^,  in  the  hands  of  Mess*^  Bennett  & 
Watts,  of  that  place,  the  Sum  of  Forty  pounds;  which  it  would 
be  proper  you  should  receive,  and  place  it  with  the  sum  he 
paid  into  your  own  hands. 

I am  surprized  to  And  by  the  Keports  so  few  calves  pro- 
duced from  my  stock. — Does  it  proceed  from  indifferent 
Bulls,  or  the  Want  of  them. — Be  it  either,  or  from  any  other 
cause,  a remedy  should  be  applied. — And  I wish  the  same 
with  respect  to  the  Bams,  as  the  number  of  my  Lambs  are 
not  equal  to  what  they  formerly  were. 

I would  have  you  again  stir  up  the  pride  of  Cyrus ; that 
he  may  be  the  fltter  for  my  purposes  against  I come  home ; 
sometime  before  which  (that  is  as  soon  as  I shall  be  able  to 
flx  on  the  time)  I will  direct  him  to  be  taken  into  the  house, 
and  clothes  to  be  made  for  him. — In  the  meanwhile,  get  him 
a strong  horn  comb  and  direct  him  to  keep  his  head  well 
combed,  that  the  hair,  or  wool  may  grow  long. — I wish  you 
well  and 

am  Your  friend 

Washington. 


' The  Jav  Treaty  conditionally  ratified  by  the  Senate,  and  signed  by  the 
President,  had  been  amended  and  exchanged  in  London,  without  further 
submission  to  the  Senate  for  ratification  of  the  same  in  its  altered  form. 
This  doubtful  procedure,  and  the  offensiveness  of  the  Treaty  itself  to  the 
Representatives,  caused  an  effort  in  their  House  to  defeat  the  Treaty  by  re- 
fusing the  means  necessary  for  carrying  it  into  effect.  The  President  in- 
sisted that  the  House  had  no  choice  in  the  matter,  and  a serious  collision 
was  escaped  only  by  a surrender  on  the  part  of  the  Representatives.  This 
doctrine  was  repudiated  by  Jefferson  (Letter  to  Giles,  31  Dec.  1795)  and  the 
republicans. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


245 


P.  S. 

By  a Yessel  which  says  she  will  sail  from  hence  to  Alex^  on 
AVednesday  next,  I shall  send  two  doz^  AVindsor  Chairs  which 
the  CapP  has  promised  to  land  as  he  passes  Mount  Vernon. — 
Let  them  be  put  in  the  ]^ew  Boom. — 

cm. 

Philadelphia  8^^  May  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

I am  glad  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  first  instant,  that  the 
rain  w®^  fell  here  on  the  27^^  ult®  had  extended  to  you. — The 
cold  and  drying  AYinds  I knew  w'ould  deprive  the  plants  of 
some  of  its  good  effects ; but  benefit  must  have  resulted  to 
them  notwithstanding. — If  the  frosts  which  accompanied 
those  AYinds  have  injured  the  fruit  (as  you  fear)  it  will  be 
a circumstance  much  to  be  regret‘s  altho’  not  to  be  avoided. — 

I wish  you  had  sowed  all  the  Peas  as  soon  as  they  were 
received  (as  the  gr*^  was  prepared)  altho’  the  season  was  far 
advanced,  and  the  Books  spoke  of  February  as  the  proper 
period  for  depositing  this  Crop  in  the  ground. — They  may 
not  come  up  another  year  ; but  admitting  they  w^ould  do  it, 
and  it  shall  be  found  that  they  are  A Crop  worth  cultivating, 
your  prospect  for  getting  into  a good  stock  of  seed  would  have 
been  better  by  sowing  the  whole  quantity,  than  an  Acre  only, 
and  keeping  the  residue  of  the  Seed  until  next  Spring. — In- 
deed, dry  as  the  weather  has  been  with  you,  it  is  a question 
whether  sowing  at  the  time  you  did  was  not  better  than  to 
have  done  it  a month-^ooner;  especially  as  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  fine  rains  which  fell  here  on  thursday  night  and  all 
day  friday  were  general. — No  alteration,  or  addition  to  what 
you  have  already  done  can  take  place  after  this  letter  gets  to 
hand,  with  either  Peas  or  Chiccory,  as  the  Spring  will  be  too 
far  advanced. 

If  the  clover  seed  which  you  sowed  did  not  vegitate,  and 


246 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


perish  with  the  drought,  it  is  to  be  hoped  it  may  yet  come  to 
something. — It  will  be  unfortunate  if  it  should  not ; more  so 
on  acc*^  of  the  want  of  the  Crop  than  on  acc*  of  the  high  price 
of  the  seed  though  both  are  bad  enough. — 

Did  you  begin  your  lane  at  Dogue-run  at  the  2*^  gate,  next 
the  Overseers  house,  or  at  the  outer  gate,  so  as  to  extend  it 
across  the  Meadow  ? — The  last  if  you  had  had  time,  would 
have  been  best  on  two  accounts ; — first  by  throwing  that 
meadow  into  two  divisions — and  2^^^  by  making  both  more 
secure ; — for  the  gates  being  often  left  open  Hogs  and  other 
things  are  frequently  getting  in  and  doing  injury ; and  be- 
sides, having  space  enough,  the  Carts  are  cutting  different 
tracts  which  form  new  gullies ; w®^  would  not,  nor  cannot  be 
the  case  in  a lane. — 

Let  me  know  the  amount  of  your  receipts  for  Fish  sold. — I 
do  not  want  the  particulars,  but  the  aggregate  sum  of  what 
they  have  fetched,  or  will  fetch,  when  the  money  is  all  re- 
ceived. 

If  an  acc*^  was  kept  of  the  times  my  Coach  Mares  went  to 
the  Jack — particularly  when  those  called  Haney  and  the  blind 
Mare,  were  covered,  let  me  know  it  in  your  next  letter. — The 
two  whose  names  are  mentioned  I am  pretty  sure  are  with 
foal,  and  I want  to  know  at  what  time  it  may  be  expected 
they  will  bring  them,  that  I may  regulate  their  movem^®  on 
the  Hoad  to  Mount  Yernon. — 

It  is  expected  that  Congress  will  rise  between  the  20^^  and 
last  of  this  month. — But  admitting  the  fact,  it  is  impossible 
for  me,  at  this  time,  to  say  precisely  when  I shall  be  at  Mount 
Vernon. — I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 

P.  S. 

Mrs.  Washington  sends  a memorandum  enclosed  which  I 
pray  you  to  have  attention  given  to. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


247 


CIY. 

Philadelphia  15*"^  May  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  8^^,  with  the  Reports,  are  at  hand ; — and 
I am  glad  you  sowed  all  the  Peas  (except  the  small  reserve 
mentioned  in  your  letter)  and  the  Chiccory ; as  I think  it 
better  than  withholding  them,  until  next  Seed  time. — I am 
glad  also  that  you  have  got  your  flour  off  hand  (as  warm 
weather  and  accidents  were  against  keeping  it  longer)  altho’  I 
am  convinced  that  if  I had  held  it  up  a month  or  two  longer, 
I could  have  obtained  a better  price ; — or  an  any  rate  the 
same  price  on  a much  shorter  credit. — Deliver  it  as  soon  as 
possible  for  two  reasons. — first,  to  be  exonerated  from  risque, 
by  fire  or  otherwise ; — and  2*^^^  that  the  day  of  payment  may 
not  be  prolonged,  by  the  detention  of  it  in  your  posses- 
sion.— 

I am  sorry  to  hear  you  speak  of  no  more  than  showers  of 
Rain  ! — On  friday  the  6*^^  instant  it  rained  here,  and  through- 
out the  whole  of  this  country,  from  before  six  in  the  morning, 
until  after  seven  in  the  evening  without  ceasing  ; and  in  the 
best  manner  possible  ; and  showers  have  fallen  since. — Such 
weather  if  it  had  extended  to  you  although  it  has  been  a little 
cool,  must  have  changed  the  face  of  everything  with  you ; 
and  would  have  brought  on  the  Oats,  Peas  and  grass  seeds  of 
all  kinds,  finely,  as  it  has  done  here. 

I do  not,  now,  know  where  to  advise  you  to  get  supplied 
with  good  Rams,  unless  Mr.  Gough  (near  Baltimore)  has 
them  for  sale. — He  imports  both  cattle  and  sheep,  and  is 
curious  I am  told  in  the  Breed  of  them,  and  sells  their  de- 
scendants high. — But  this  ought  not  to  deter  you  from  the 
purchase  of  (at  least)  one  good  Ram,  to  go  to  a score  or  more 
of  your  choicest  ewes. — from  such  an  experiment  and  begin- 
ning, you  might,  b}^  the  year  following,  have  Rams  enough 


24S 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


for  the  whole  flock. — This  method  I pursued  some  years  ago 
to  the  very  great  advancement  of  my  breed  of  sheep. — 

If  Mr.  Darnes  is  a man  in  whose  integrity  and  activity  full 
reliance  can  be  placed,  and  he  will  agree  to  watch,  diligently, 
in  order  to  prevent  the  depredations  which  are  aimed  at  my 
land  on  four  mile  run,^  I will  give  him  a surety  of  living 
thereon  Rent  free  during  his  life  ; and  the  priviledge  of  clear- 
ing a small,  but  deflned  quantity  there-of : — and  an  agreement 
conformably  to  these  ideas,  you  may  enter  into  with  him  as 
soon  as  you  please ; — and  the  sooner  the  better. — 

To  What  height,  has  Davis  raised  the  Walls  of  the  Barn 
at  River  Farm? — Does  he  raise  the  shed  Walls  at  the  same 
time?' — If  not,  the  work  will  not  appear  so  well  united,  even 
with  pains  and  proper  attention  ; and  without  them,  they  will 
have  a disjointed  look. — Do  you  frame  the  inside  upon  the 
same  plan  as  that  of  Union  farm  ? — I think  I directed  it  to  be 
done  so,  but  cannot  speak  with  certainty. — 

Let  the  house  in  the  upper  Garden,  called  the  School  house, 
be  cleaned  and  got  in  order  against  I return  ; — Glass  put  in 
the  windows  if  wanted  ; — and  a lock  on  the  door. — I cannot 
yet  say  with  certainty  when  I shall  be  able  to  visit  Mount 
Yernon,  but  hoj>e  it  will  be  by,  or  before  the  midle  of  June. — 
Have  good  meats  ready  for  us  by  that  time  ; and  tell  the 
Gardener  I shall  expect  an  abundance  of  every  thing  in  the 
Gardens;— and  to  see  every  thing  in  prime  order  there,  and 
in  the  Lawns. 

I am  with  best  wishes 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

Paschal  seems  to  be  pretty  regularly  reported  sick.  Six 
days  in  the  Week. — What  is  the  matter  with  him  ? 


Appendix  F. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


249 


CY. 

Philadelphia  22^  May  1796. 

Me.  Peaece, 

Your  letter  of  the  15^^  inst*,  enclosing  the  Peports  of  the 
preceeding  IrVeek,  came  duly  to  hand. — 

I am  glad  to  hear  that  the  weather  has  been  seasonable  of 
late ; but  sorry  indeed,  to  find  by  your  letter  that  the  grain 
and  grass  has  received  so  little  benefit  from  the  rains  which 
have  fallen,  here,  in  great  abundance. — And  it  is  peculiarly 
unfortunate  after  giving  so  high  a price  for  Clover  Seed,  that 
it  should  either  not  have  come  up,  or  been  destroyed  after- 
wards, by  the  droughts. — Has  your  Corn  come  up  well,  and 
how  does  it  thrive  ? — And  how  does  the  Oats — Peas — Chic- 
ory— and  other  things  which  have  been  sown,  and  planted 
this  Spring  come  on  ? — 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  and  I do  regret  exceedingly, 
that  the  Honey  locusts  which  have  been  set  out,  should  have 
perished. — It  would  seem  I think  as  if  I never  should  get  for- 
ward in  my  plan  of  hedging. — With  respect  to  the  trans- 
planting of  Cedar  (or  any  other  evergreen)  I am  persuaded 
there  is  no  other  sure  way  of  getting  them  to  live,  than  by 
taking  them  up  in  the  winter  with  a block  of  frozen  earth 
around  the  Roots  (and  as  large  as  it  can  conveniently  be  ob- 
tained— proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  plant). — This  not  only 
gives  them  their  mother  earth,  but  by  its  adhesion  to  the 
principal  roots,  it  nourishes  the  body  until  the  fibres  from  the 
former  shoot  sufficiently  to  secure  the  vegitation  and  thrifti- 
ness of  the  plant. — I transplanted  thousands  of  Pine  and 
Cedar  without  getting  scarcely  one  to  live  until  I adopted  the 
above  method ; after  which,  so  long  as  it  was  practised,  I 
never  lost  one. — Witness  the  pine  groves  by  the  Gardens  ; 
both  of  which  were  planted  in  this  manner,  and  to  the  best ' 
of  my  recollection  not  one  of  them  died  : — whereas,  out  of  the 


250 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


first  planting,  just  as  they  now  are,  not  more  than  two  or 
three  of  them  lived. — 

I am  very  sorry  indeed  to  hear  of  the  damage  which  the 
family  piece  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  has  sustained. — 
and  am  unable  to  account  for  it. — If  the  window  shutters  had 
been  left  open,  I should  have  attributed  it  more  to  the  sun, 
than  to  the  dryness  of  the  Air. 

Ask  Feter,  if  some  of  the  Mares  w^^  I took  down  with  me, 
when  I went  alone  to  Mount  Yernon  in  April  of  last  year, 
did  not  go  to  the  Jack  at  that  time? — If  they  did  not,  their 
foaling  will  be  much  about  the  time  I shall  be  on  the  Road 
which  will  be  unfortunate. — 

For  what  purpose  is  the  Well  house  from  the  Mansion,  car- 
ried to  Union  Farfn  ? — Save  a plenty  of  the  best  Hay  of  last 
year  for  my  horses,  as  I had  rather  they  should  be  fed  upon 
old,  than  the  Hay  of  this  season,  when  I come  home. — 

I am  Your  friend 

Washington. 


CYI. 

Philadelphia  29*^  May  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

~No  Mail  beyond  Baltimore  (Southerly)  was  received  at  the 
Post  Office  in  this  City  yesterday ; — consequently,  I got  no 
letter  from  you  ; — what  may  have  been  the  cause  I know  not, 
unless  the  considerable  falls  of  rain  which  happened  here 
during  last  week,  may  have  rendered  the  waters  between 
Alexandria  and  Baltimore  (if  they  extended  so  far)  impassi- 
ble.— 

You  have  never  mentioned  in  any  of  your  late  letters,  nor 
has  it  occurred,  at  the  time  of  writing  mine,  to  ask,  whether 
a Pipe  of  Wine,  and  box  of  Tea,  which  was  sent  from  this 
place  for  Mount  Yernon,  had  arrived,  and  in  what  condition. 
— It  was  in  March,  or  the  beginning  of  April  they  left  this — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


251 


And  another  Vessel  with  AVindsor  Chairs  and  sundry  other 
articles  for  the  same  place,  have  been  gone  from  hence  long 
enougrli  to  have  heard  of  their  arrival  ’ere  this. — These  occur- 
rences  ought  always  to  be  noticed  in  your  letters,  to  relieve 
one  fi’om  the  suspence  which  otherwise  follows. — Before  we 
leave  this,  we  shall  send  several  other  matters  round,  but 
whenever  they  are  shipped  you  shall  have  notice  thereof  that 
they  may  be  taken  from  Alexandria  so  soon  as  they  arrive 
there ; — at  which  time  procure  a groce  of  good  Porter  to  be 
taken  down  along  with  them. — In  the  mean  time,  have  a few 
Bottles  of  Porter  there,  and  some  wine  for  particular  com- 
pany, who  may  recommended  to  you  by  my- 

self : — among  these  Mr.  Aimes,^  a respectable  member  of 
Congress  (travelling  for  his  health)  will,  I expect,  be  one ; as 
he  proposes  to  set  out  from  hence  for  the  Federal  City  about 
the  middle  of  this  week,  and  is  one  I wish  to  be  well  treated, 
while  he  stays. — I have  requested  Mr.  Lear  to  shew  him  the 
way  down  to  Mount  Vernon. 

Is  Maria  and  the  two  boys  at  that  place  now,  or  where  are 
they  ? — Xo  mention  has  been  made  of  them  for  some  time. — 
When  (from  present  appearances)  will  your  early  Wheat  be 
ready  to  cut  ? — and  how  does  that,  and  the  other  small  grain. 
Peas,  and  grasses  come  on  ? — What  was  done  with  the  Seed 
saved  from  the  India  Hemp  last  Summer  ? — It  ought,  all  of 
it,  to  have  been  sown  again  ; — that  not  only  a stock  of  seed 
sufficient  for  my  own  purposes  might  have  been  raised,  but  to 
have  dissiminated  the  seed  to  others  ; as  it  is  more  valuable 
than  the  common  Hemp. — 

Congress  talk  of  Hsing  about  the  middle  of  this  week  ; but 
there  is  no  dependauce  on  it. — In  about  ten  or  twelve  days 


' Fisher  Ames  (1756-1808)  of  Massachusetts  ; served  in  Congress  1789- 
1797  ; author  of  the  Address  of  the  House  to  Washington  on  his  retirement 
from  the  presidency.  The  speech  of  Ames  in  favor  of  the  appropriation 
for  the  British  Treaty  probably  secured  the  majority  of  three  by  which  it 
passed  the  House. 


252 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


after  the  Session  closes,  it  is  likely  I shall  commence  my  jour- 
ney homewards  : — as  soon  as  I can  fix  the  day,  I will  advise 
you  of  it. — 

I have  several  times  spoke  concerning  a necessary  for  the 
Quarter  People,  at  Mansion  house  ; and  once  or  twfice  shewed 
Thomas  Green  the  precise  spot  to  place  it — viz — in  the  drain 
that  leads  from  the  old  brick  kiln  back  of  the  Well,  towards 
the  gully  leading  towards  the  gate ; — that,  having  this  advan- 
tage the  offensive  matter  might  be  washed  off  by  the  Pain 
water  that  collects  in  the  gutter. — I wish  you  would  have  this 
done  before  Ive  come  home  that  the  yard  of  the  Quarter  may 
be  always  clean  and  Sweet. — If  the  old  necessary  on  the  brow- 
of  the  Hill  can  be  moved  wfith  more  ease  than  building  a new 
one,  let  it  be  done,  as  it  is  not  only  useless  where  it  is,  but  is 
an  eyesore. — Order  the  other  two  to  be  well  cleaned  and 
kept  in  good  order. — During  my  stay  at  Mount  Yernon  I ex- 
pect much  company  there,  and  of  the  most  respectable  sort, 
it  would  be  pleasing  to  us  therefore  to  find  everything  in  nice 
order. — 

I wish  you  well  and  am  your  friend 

Washington. 


CYII. 

Philadelphia  5^^  June  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Since  my  last  I have  received  your  letters  of  the  22*^  and 
29^^  of  last  month. — The  first  came  to  hand  on  Tuesday,  the 
other  on  Saturday,  as  usual. — 

On  Wednesday  last  Congress  closed  their  Session;  but 
there  is  yet  a good  deal  for  me  to  do,  before  I can  leave  the 
Seat  of  the  Government. — My  present  expectation  however 
is,  that  I shall  be  able  to  do  this  on  tomorrow  week : but  as 
this  is  not  certain,  and  as  I shall  travel  slow,  to  avoid  what 
usually  happens  to  me  at  this  season — that  is — killing,  or 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


253 


knocking  up  a horse ; and  as  we  shall,  moreover,  stay  a day 
or  two  at  the  Federal  City,  it  is  not  likely  we  shall  arrive  at 
Mount  Yernon  before  the  20*^,  or  21®^  of  this  month. — 

In  a few  days  after  we  get  there,  we  shall  be  visited,  I ex- 
pect, by  characters  of  distinction ; I could  wish  therefore  that 
the  Gardens,  Lawns,  and  every  thing  else,  in,  and  about  the 
Houses,  may  be  got  in  clean  and  nice  order. — If  the  Gardener 
needs  aid,  to  accomplish  as  much  of  this  as  lyes  within  his 
line,  let  him  have  it ; and  let  others  rake,  and  scrape  up  all 
the  trash,  of  every  sort  and  kind  about  the  houses,  and  in 
holes  and  corners,  and  throw  it  (all  I mean  that  will  make 
dung)  into  the  Stercorary  and  the  rest  into  the  gullied  parts 
of  the  road,  coming  up  to  the  House. — And  as  the  front  gate 
of  the  Lawn  (by  the  Ivies)  is  racked,  and  scarcely  to  be 
opened,  I wish  you  would  order  a new  one  (like  the  old  one) 
to  be  immediately  made — and  that,  with  the  new  ones  you 
have  just  got  made,  and  all  the  boarding  of  every  kind  that 
was  white  before,  to  be  painted  white  again. — If  ^eal  and 
my  own  people  cannot  make  the  front  gate,  above  mentioned, 
get  some  one  from  Alexandria  to  do  it — provided  he  will  set 
about  and  finish  it  immediately. — This  must  be  the  way  up 
to  the  House. — 

Let  the  Kooms  in  the  Servants  Hall,  above  and  below,  be 
well  cleaned  ; and  have  the  Beds  and  bedsteads  therein  put 
in  order ; after  which  have  a good  lock  put  on  the  door  of  the 
west  room,  above,  and  order  Caroline,  or  whoever  has  the 
charge  of  those  rooms,  to  suffer  no  person  to  sleep,  or  even  to 
go  into  it,  without  express  orders  from  her  Mistress  or  my- 
self.— Let  exactly  tlig  same  things  be  done  with  the  Booms 
over  the  Kitchen ; as  there  will  be  a white  Cook  with  us  that 
will  require  one  of  them  ; and  the  other  may  also  be  wanted 
for  some  other  Servants,  or  use.  it  being  likely,  there  will  be 
a call  for  all  these  places  and  things. — And  I hope,  especially 
as  there  is  no  Ice  to  keep  fresh  meats,  that  you  will  have  an 
abundant  supply  for  the  demands  that  will  probably  be  made 


254 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


thereon  during  our  stay  at  home. — And  besides,  will  ascertain 
from  the  Butcher  in  Alexandria,  the  stated  days  on  which 
Beef  and  Yeal  are  killed,  that  we  may  know  what  dependence 
to  place  on  him. — Tell  the  Gardener,  I shall  expect  every- 
thing that  a Garden  ought  to  produce,  in  the  most  ample 
manner. — 

There  may  be  many  other  things  necessary  to  be  done,  as 
well  for  appearance  as  use,  that  do  not  occur  to  me  at  this 
mom^  but  as  you  can  judge  from  what  I have  said,  what  my 
wishes  are,  I have  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  contribute  all 
you  can  to  accomplish  them  ; and  give  the  whole  as  neat,  and 
clean  an  appearance  as  they  are  capable  of. — 

About  the  time  you  were  employing  a Joiner  to  do  the 
Xorth  end  of  the  House,  I directed  Venetian  blinds  to  be 
made,  and  painted  green,  for  all  the  windows  on  the  West 
side  of  the  House;  and  mentioned  the  manner  in  w'^^  I 
thought  it  best  to  execute  them : — but  have  never  been  in- 
formed what,  or  whether  any  thing  has  been  done  in  conse- 
quence of  it.  The  omitting  to  give  information  of  what  has^ 
or  what  cannot  be  done  in  consequence  of  such  requests,  often 
throws  me  into  a disagreeable  suspence,  and  frequently  occa- 
sions me  to  write  often  on  the  same  subjects. — I am  equally 
ignorant  whether  the  dormant  windows  are  yet  put  into  the 
stable,  and  Corn  lofts ; both  of  which,  for  the  purpose  of  Air, 
is  indispensably  necessary  ; besides  adding  to  the  appearance 
of  the  building. — 

Take  care  to  keep  a sufficiency  of  Oats,  and  the  best  of 
your  old  Hay  on  hand.  I shall  have  eight  or  ten  horses  of 
my  own  with  me^  and  there  will  be  many  others  with 
Visitors. — 

You  had  better,  I conceive,  get  the  Midlings  and  Ship-stuff 
off  your  hands  at  what  they  will  fetch  ; as  the  weather  is  get- 
ting warm,  and  the  flour  may  turn  Sower. — Unless  you  want 
the  money  for  current  expences,  it  might  be  sold  on  such  a 
credit  as  to  receive  payment  on  the  same  day  your  demand 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


255 


upon  Smith,  for  the  other  flour,  will  become  due:  so  as  to 
have  the  whole  at  once. — This  credit  may  enhance  the  price, 
and  will  be  (if  the  money  is  not  wanted  for  the  purposes  be- 
fore mentioned)  no  disadvantage  to  me  in  giving  it. — 

I hope,  at  your  last  shearing,  there  was  a complete  cull,  and 
seperation  of  all  the  old,  scabby  and  disordered  Sheep. — I do 
not  know  how  to  account  for  the  weekly  loss  you  sustain,  in 
this  species  of  Stock,  unless  it  be  by  keeping  such  poor  and 
diseased  sheep  in  the  flocks  as  contaminate  others. — 

I have  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  endeavor  so  to  arrange 
matters,  as  to  keep  your  grain,  and  Hay  harvests  from  inter- 
fering as  much  as  possible  with  each  other ; and  this  too  with- 
out either  suffering,  by  standing  too  long,  if  it  can  possibly  be 
avoided. — Begin  the  former  as  soon  as  it  can  be  cut  without 
loss. 

If  Miss  Nelly  Custis  * should  apply  to  you  for  a Cart  to 
Transport  her  Trunk  and  other  things  from  Doctor  Stuarts 
to  Mount  Yernon — let  it  be  sent  as  soon  as  applied  for,  and 
something  to  cover  and  secure  the  contents  against  Eain — in 
case  any  should  fall  while  they  are  on  the  Road. — 

I perceive  Mrs.  Washington’s  Mem°^  herewith  sent  contains 
nearly  the  same  requests  that  are  made  in  this  letter — but  I 
send  it  notwithstanding. — 

I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington.- 

P.S. 

Direct  your  next  letter  to  me,  to  be  left  at  the  Post  Office 
in  Baltimore  till  called  for. — If  I set  off  according  to  my 
present  expectation,  I shall,  probably  lodge  in  that  Town  on 


^ Mrs.  George  Washington’s  granddaughter,  whose  marriage  with  the 
General’s  nephew,  Lawrence  Lewis  (his  only  sister’s  son),  22  Feb.  1799, 
made  the  romance  of  Washington’s  last  years.  Washington  (who  adopted 
her  on  her  father’s  death,  when  she  was  a child)  was  much  attached  to 
her. 


256 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


thursday  Mght ; — which  is  the  Night  the  Mail  of  that  day 
from  Alexandria  reaches  that  place/ — 


CYIII. 

Philadelphia  5*^  SepP  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  31®*^  of  Aug^  from  Chester  Town,  came  duly 
to  hand ; but  as  you  did  not  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the 
one  I wrote  you  from  hence,  this  day  week,  I presume  it  had 
not  got  to  hand  ; — Owing,  I conceive  to  a misapprehension  of 
mine  as  to  the  time  of  closing  the  Mail  for  the  Eastern  shore 
which  I find  is  an  hour  and  an  half  earlier  than  those  which 
go  Southerly  or  Easterly. — 1 put  my  letter  under  cover  to  the 
Postmaster  in  Chester  Town  with  a request  to  forward  it  to 
Mount  Yernon  if  you  should  have  left  that  place. — 

As  you  appear  (by  your  letter  above  mentioned)  to  have 
attended  to  most  of  the  matters  which  were  recommended 
in  mine,  your  not  receiving  it  at  Chester  Town  was  not  very 
material. — 

By  my  letters  from  Mount  Yernon  I find  the  weather  up  to 
the  date  of  them  has  continued  extremely  wet — of  course 
Seeding  must  have  gone  on  slowly,  if  not  badly. — 


1 On  June  26,  Washington  wrote  from  Mount  Vernon  to  his  nephew, 
Robert  Lewis:  “We  arrived  at  this  place  on  Monday  last,  where  it  is 
probable  I shall  remain  till  the  middle  of  August,  when  public  business  will 
require  my  attendance  in  Philadelphia,  until  towards  the  end  of  September. 
I shall  then  return  to  this  place  again  for  Mrs.  Washington,  with  whom,  in 
the  latter  part  of  October,  I shall  make  my  last  journey,  to  close  my  public 
life  the  4th  of  March ; after  which  no  consideration  under  heaven,  that  I 
can  foresee,  shall  again  withdraw  me  from  the  walks  of  private  life.” 
“My  house,  I expect,  will  be  crowded  with  company  all  the  while  we  shall 
be  at  it,  this  summer,  as  the  ministers  of  France,  Great  Britain,  and  Portu- 
gal, in  succession,  intend  to  be  here — besides  other  strangers.”  (The 
new  French  Minister  was  M.  Adet;  and  the  British  Minister,  Mr.  Liston, 
— the  same  that  stole  Arthur  Lee’s  papers  in  Berlin  during  the  Revolu- 
tion.) 


AXD  MOUNT  VERNON. 


257 


Washington  Custis^  writes  me  that  Mr.  Stuart,  at  tlie  Kiver 
farm  was  very  ill  of  a fever,  on  thursday  last. — I hope  it  will 
not  prove  a fatal  one,  and  thereby  add  to  your  present  diffi- 
culties in  providing  good  Overseers. — If  Scoon  is  a first  rate 
Overseer,  I had  rather  give  him  £75  Maryland  curr^  than  run 
the  risk  of  getting  an  indifferent  one ; especially  if  he  can 
bring  another  whom  you  hnow  to  be  a good  one,  along  with 
him ; although  the  wages  of  that  other  should  exceed  133J 
dollars. — I do  not  know  what  Violet’s  and  Cash’s  present 
wages  are,  I did  not  care  to  increase  it  with  them  (although 
the}^  may  be  industrious  men)  as  they  c*^  have  no  plea  to  ask 
higher  wages  for  the  year  to  come,  than  for  the  year  past. — 
Men  wdio  are  old,  experienced,  and  of  established  reputation 
and  skill,  have  better  ground  to  stand  upon,  than  they. — 
Washington  [Custis]  in  his  letter  mentioned  further  that 
the  Weavil  was  very  much  in  Stuarts  Wheat. — If  this  is  really 
the  case,  it  is  much  to  be  regretted,  but  there  is  no  other 
remedy  but  to  get  it  out  as  quick  as  possible  ; — and  as  he  has 
no  place  to  keep  it  securely  in  the  Chaff, — to  grind  it  up  with 
all  the  dispatch  the  Mill  is  capable. — He  said  something  also 
about  one  of  the  Bolting  cloths  being  out  of  order,  or  unfit 
for  use — this  will  require  attention. — 

Write  me  by  the  first  Post  (fridays)  after  you  get  this  letter, 
how  every  thing  is,  and  going  on  ; for  if  I can  accomplish  the 
business  which  bro^  me  here,  I hope  by  Wednesday,  or  thurs- 
day in  next  week,  to  leave  this,  on  my  return  to  Mount  Ver- 
non.— I wish  you  well  and  am  Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 


^ George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  Mrs.  Washington’s  grandson,  adopted 
by  Washington,  on  the  death  of  his  father,  John  Parke  Custis,  in  1781. 
Washington  Custis  (1781-1857)  wrote  “Recollections  and  Private  Memoirs  of 
Washington.”  He  married  Mary  Lee  Fitzhugh  of  Chatham,  Stafford  Co., 
near  Fredericksburg  and  these  were  the  grandparents  of  Gen.  Robert  E. 
Lee. 


17 


258 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


CIX. 

Philadelphia  11*^  Sep.  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Pour  letter  of  the  4^^  inst*^  came  to  my  hands  yesterday, 
and  the  one  you  wrote  me  from  Chester  Town  has  also  been 
received. — My  last  would  have  informed  you  of  the  reason, 
which,  probably,  prevented  your  receiving  a former  one  at 
that  place,  but  which  I expect  has  got  to  hand  ere  this ; as 
the  Postmaster  was  requested,  in  case  you  had  left  it,  to  send 
it  by  the  Mail  to  Alexandria. 

As  your  letter  says  very  little  with  respect  to  the  situation 
of  Matters  on  the  Farms,  I have  the  less  to  say  in  answer  to 
it. — But  wish  that  the  Wheat  may  be  sown  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible ; — but  not  faster  than  the  ground  can  be  put  in  good 
Order  for  its  reception ; especially  for  that  which  was  sent  by 
Mr.  Lewis. — 

Having  made  no  mention  of  Stuart,  I hope  he  has  got  well 
again  ; from  the  Tenor  of  Washington’s  letter,  I began  to  ap- 
prehend he  was  in  danger. — As  you  have  said  nothing  con- 
cerning the  Fly,  in  your  stacks,  I hope  his  account  in  this 
respect  also  was  more  the  effect  of  his  fears,  than  of  accurate 
examination ; but  let  it  be  closely  attended  to  ; — for  neither 
interest  nor  policy  will  suffer  a Crop  made,  to  be  lost,  in  order 
to  prepare  for  another  which  a thousand  accidents  may 
destroy  before  it  gets  into  the  Barn  : and  when,  possibly,  and 
even  probably,  the  price  may  be  lower  than  it  is  at  present  by 
50  p^  C^. — This,  supposing  no  danger  from  the  fly,  is  a strong  ’ 
reason  for  grinding  up — and  selling  the  flour  before  the 
Market  is  glutted  with  this  article,  from  Wheat  of  this  years 
growth. — 

Do  not  let  the  proper  Season  escape  you,  for  sowing  the 
Winter  Yetch — I should  conceive  it  ought  not  to  be  much 
longer  delayed. — But  among  the  Books  you  have,  of  mine,  it 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


259 


is  probable  the  precise  time,  and  quantity  of  Seed  to  the 
Acre,  may  be  mentioned. — Let  these  be  attended  to ; — and 
unless  the  directions  are  given  in  some  authors  of  modern 
date,  be  more  sparing  of  your  seed  than  is  mentioned  by 
them.' — I recollect  a year  or  two  ago  to  have  sent  some  rape 
Seed  to  Mount  Yernon,  but  do  not  recollect  what  has  been 
the  result  of  it : — but  particular  care  ought  always  to  be  paid 
to  these  kind  of  Seeds  as  they  are,  generally,  given  to  me, 
because  they  are  valuable — rare, — or  curious. — 

I hope  you  have  received  favorable  answers  from  the  per- 
sons you  were  in  treaty  with  on  the  Eastern  Shore. — It  is  very 
interesting  to  me,  at  all  times,  to  have  good  Overseers ; but 
may  be  particular  so  next  year. — Did  you  receive  any  benefit 
from  DocU  Perkins’s  Metallic  application.  — which,  possibly 
ought  to  be  repeated  and  continued  for  some  time. — I wish 
you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

Washington. 

CX. 

Federal  City,  26*^^  Oct.  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Cyrus  was  obliged  to  come  on  to  this  place,  in  order  to  take 
the  horses  back,  which  Mr.  Frestal  and  Mr.  Lafayette'' 
rode,  which  is  the  cause  of  his  delay. — 

Mrs.  Washington  desires  me  to  inform  you  that  there  was 
some  Butter  left  in  the  Cellar,  and  some  Beef  in  a Tub 
which  (after  supplying  James)  may  be  applied  to  any  uses 
you  think  proper. — 

’ Appendix  L. 

- Son  of  tlie  Marquis,  Mr.  Frestal  being  his  tutor.  On  his  father’s  impris- 
onment at  Olmiitz  young  Lafayette  came  to  America  and  sought  Washing- 
ton’s protection.  In  view  of  the  excitement  of  the  anti-French  party, 
Washington  confided  the  youth  to  his  friend.  Colonel  Hamilton,  for  a time ; 
but  he  passed  a year  or  two  under  Washington’s  roof  in  Philadelphia  and 
Mount  Yernon. 


260 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Let  my  Study  be  cleaned  out,  and  the  Room  afterwards 
locked  up. — Do  not  miss  the  opportunity  of  getting  our  Bag- 
gage, and  James,  round  by  the  first  Yessel  to  Philad^ — taking 
a Bill  of  Lading  for  the  several  parcels,  and  sending  it  in  a 
letter,  that  we  may  know  when  we  get  them  All. — 

When  your  family  quit  the  house  they  are  now  in,  and  you 
remove  to  the  Mansion,  let  Dinah  and  the  other  girl  join  the 
Mansion  house  people  and  Mrs.  Washington  may,  afterwards 
chuse  either  for  a Washer  woman. — 

Have  the  Earth  removed  from  the  stone  quarry  where  I 
showed  you — that  Mr.  Blagden  may  be  able  to  examine  it 
when  he  calls  there. — 

Let  all  the  Saddles  and  Bridles  that  I have  left  at  home  be 
cleaned  and  locked  up — or  they  will  be  hacked  about,  injured, 
and  perhaps  lost. — 

The  Mules  for  my , Carriage — the  two  Colts  from  the 
Chariot  Mares — and  the  one  from  the  Augusta  Mare  must  be 
well  kept  and  attended  to,  till  I come  home. — I shall  wudte 
you  more  fully  as  soon  as  I get  to  Philadelphia  in  the  mean- 
while I remain  your  friend  &c® 

G®  Washington. 


CXI. 

Philadelphia  Nov''  1796. 

Mk.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  6^^  was  received  (with  the  Reports)  on 
Saturday  ; — but  I do  not  clearly  understand  by  it,  whether 
James  Wilkes  re  embarked  with,  or  without  a bed, — or  is  yet 
at  Mount  Yernon. — If  the  latter,  he  had  better  (if  his  health 
is  sufficiently  restored)  offer  himself  to  Mr.  Law^  as  A 
Coachman ; for  before  he  could  get  here,  and  be  well  settled, 
I shall  be  making  my  arrangements  to  return  to  Yirginia ; 


An  English  gentleman,  who  married  Elizabeth  Parke  Custis.  {Ante.) 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


261 


when  I shall  have  no  further  occasion  for  hired  Servants,  un- 
less to  carry  me  there. — 

I am  extremely  sorry  that  Mr.  Alex**  Smith  will  not  be  able 
to  take  up  his  note  when  it  becomes  due. — I wish  that  may  be 
the  worst  of  it,  notwithstanding  the  Language  he  makes  his 
Book  of  Accounts  speak. — However  dangerous  and  incon- 
venient it  is  to  me,  to  lye  out  of  the  money  (for  the  reasons 
which  were  given  to  you  in  my  last  letter  or  Memorandum) — 
I have  informed  him  in  a note  of  this  date,  that  I should  di- 
rect you  to  make  an  estimate  of  the  several  sums  which  were 
wanting  to  pay  of[f]  every  farthing  that  is  due  from  me,  be- 
fore you  go  (which  is  my  earnest  desire)  and  that  if  he  will 
give  you  unequivocal  surety  of  paying  you  the  aggregate 
amount  of  them,  on,  or  before  the  24^^  day  of  December,  I 
would  (however  inconvenient  it  was  to  me)  wait  until  the  first 
day  of  March  next  for  the  balance ; — Provided  he  would  give 
indubitable  security  for  the  payment  of  both  sums  at  the 
times  above  mentioned,  with  interest  thereon,  from  the  time 
his  note  becomes  due. — 

You  will  perceive  I lay  a stress  upon  the  goodness  of  the 
Security,  and  the  surety  of  payments. — I do  it,  because  I 
know  speculators  (without  meaning  to  apply  the  term  to  Mr. 
Smith,  whose  pursuits  I am  unacquainted  with)  may  be  men 
one  day,  and  mice  the  next. — If  he  is  a responsible  character 
he  can  find  no  difficulty  in  giving  the  security  required. — If 
he  is  not,  the  sooner  I take  effectual  means  to  secure  the  debt, 
the  less  risk  I run  of  loosing  it. — 

I hope  Bichmond  was  made  an  example  of,  for  the  Rob- 
bery he  committed  on  Wilkes  Saddle  bags. — I wish  he  may 
not  have  been  put  upon  it  by  his  father  (although  I never  had 
any  suspicion  of  the  honesty  of  the  latter)  for  the  purpose 
perhaps  of  a journey  together. — This  will  make  a watch,  with- 
out its  being  suspected  by,  or  intimated  to  them,  necessary ; 
nor  w^^  I have  these  suspicions  communicated  to  any  other  lest 
it  should  produce  more  harm  than  good. 


262 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


The  drought  here,  is  also  very  severe. — It  is  unlucky  that  I 
cannot  get  my  Wheat  ground  into  flour,  on  acc^  of  the  sale  of 
it,  and  the  fly  also  ; — but  the  latter,  I hope,  is  not  very  bad, 
or  you  would  have  mentioned  it,  that  I might  decide  whether 
to  await  the  operation  of  the  Mill,  or  sell  the  grain  unground, 
if  it  should  appear  to  be  in  much  danger. — 

Did  you  get  the  Quarter  at  River  farm  removed  without 
much  difliculty,  or  injury? — and  is  it  now,  or  soon  will  be, 
comfortable  to  its  inhabitants? — Let  that  at  Muddy-hole  be 
made  tight,  if  by  patchwork  only,  as  I am  unwilling  the 
people  should  suffer. — 

As  I wish  to  have  Venetian  blinds  for  all  the  Windows  in 
the  West  front  of  the  Mansion  house — on  the  outside — I re- 
quest you  will  give  me  the  dimensions  of  the  window  frames, 
above  and  below  ; — and  though  R’eal  is  not  a competent  judge 
of  the  manner  of  hanging  them, — or  precisely  where  the 
hooks  should  be  drove,  on  which  the  Venetian  Shutters  are  to 
be  hung — yet  understanding  that  these  hooks  are  to  go  as  far 
back  as  there  is  solid  wood  to  drive  them  into  (the  shutters 
being  double,  and  coming  together  as  they  do  at  tlie  front 
or  West  door.)  he  cannot  be  much  at  a loss  to  give  the 
wddth,  and  height,  of  those  in  the  flrst  and  second  stories ; — 
allowing  them  to  cover  as  much  of  the  frame  on  both  sides, 
and  at  top,  as  the  Mouldings  will  permit : — into  which  the 
hooks,  on  which  the  shutters  hang,  might  be  drove,  if  there 
be  solid  wood  to  receive  them  (for  this  is  all  important,  other- 
wise the  hooks  would  get  loose,  and  be  a constant  plague) ; — 
the  Shutters,  or  blinds  would,  in  that  case,  go  from  moulding 
to  moulding  at  the  sides  and  at  top. — The  shutters  which  are 
now  to  the  lower  Windows  will  be  to  be  taken  away  alto- 
gether. as  two  sets  cannot  be  on  the  outside  ; and  there  is  no 
place  for  them  within. — I wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


263 


P.  S. 

If  Mr.  Smith  cannot  give  unquestionable  Personal  security 
and  has  real  property  (unincumbered  and)  adequate  thereto, 
you  had  better  have  me  secured  that  way,  and  in  time. — I pay 
but  little  regard  to  fair  promises ; — as  I know  that  distressing 
times  are  coming  upon  the  Merch*^^  for  their  Speculate. 


CXII. 

Philadelphia  20*^^  Kov’^  1796. 

Me.  Peaece, 

Your  letter  of  the  13*^  ins*,  and  the  Reports  of  the  pre- 
ceeding  week,  were  received  yesterday. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  growing  Wheat  is  suffering  for 
want  of  Rain — but  hope  you  had  some  on  Tuesday  last  (three 
days  subsequent  to  the  date  of  your  letter). — If  the  fact  how- 
ever is  otherwise,  let  the  ground  in  which  the  Egyptian 
Wheat  was  deposited,  be  watered,  and  continued  to  be  so 
until  the  Rains  fall. — 

I have  no  doubt  but  that  the  Causey  through  the  Swamp 
would  prove  a pretty  heavy  job  to  execute  the  work  in  the 
manner  I proposed ; — but  when  so  done — I shall  have  no 
plague  with  it  thereafter ; — and  the  other  part  will  be  much 
less  tedious  and  laborious. — To  form  a judgment  however  of 
this  matter,  when  the  Causey  is  completed,  work  onwards  to- 
wards the  Mansion  until  you  cross  (or  rather  come  to)  the  in- 
tended road  leading  from  Muddy  hole  Barn. — Working  thus 
far — as  it  will  pass  through  as  grubby  ground  as  any  there  is 
in  the  whole  road,  you  will  be  able  to  form  a judgment  of  the 
time  necessary  for  the  completion  of  the  whole ; — and  be- 
sides, after  this  junction  is  formed,  there  can  be  no  mistake 
afterwards. — Let  Davy  know,  and  Mr.  AndersoiL  also,  that 
wliere  the  Road  turns  on  the  top  of  the  Hill  (South  of  the 


' James  Anderson  succeeded  Pearce  as  Superintendent  at  Mount  Vernon. 


264 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


Causey)  the  fence  is  to  turn  also  ; and  run  with  the  road  until 
it  strikes  the  line  of  the  other  fence,  in  which  the  Gate 
stands ; — which  fence  is  to  be  continued  streight  until  the  two 
meet,  by  the  side  of  the  Road. — 

I expected  the  line  of  the  Road,  when  extended  back  to  the 
River,  would  have  struck  it  nearer  to  Hell  hole,  by  several 
hundred  yards,  than  where  Cupids  house  stood. — What  sort 
of  ground  does  it  go  over  ? — and,  if  you  can  form  a judgment 
from  your  present  view  of  it,  would  the  River,  or  vessels 
passing  thereon  be  seen  in  travelling  along  it  from  the  Causey 
to  the  White  Gates  ? — 

I had  no  idea  that  Oznabrigs  was  scarce  in  Alexandria  after 
the  great  Importations  we  had  heard  of  ; — or  that  the  price 
c^^  have  been  so  high. — I will  make  enquiry  into  these  matters 
here,  and  inform  you  of  the  result  in  my  next ; — as  I shall 
also  do  ab*'  Paints  and  Oil ; — but  when  you  spoke  of  White 
Lead  ground  in  Oil  being  24/.  Reg,  you  ought  to  have  men- 
tioned what  the  Reg  contained,  as  they  are  of  various  sizes 
from  25.  to  100  lbs  weight. — 

As  Mr.  Lear  is  very  frequently  at  his  farm,  I wish  you 
would  consult  him  with  respect  to  Mr.  Alex^  Smiths  circum- 
stances ; and  the  best  mode  of  having  the  sum  he  owes  me, 
and  the  payments,  according  to  my  last  to  you,  jperfectly  se- 
cured.— I can  run  no  risks  in  this  matter; — the  sum  is  too 
large  to  be  trifled  with ; — and  I am  not  one  of  those  who 
place  implicit  confldence  in  strong  assurances,  or  in  outward 
appearances,  unless  they  are  corroborated  by  corresponding 
actions. — You  might,  at  the  same  time,  advise  with  him  on 
the  prices  of  Oznabrigs — Paints — Oil — Rails  Ac^  that  I may 
decide  in  time  whether  to  provide  them  here — or  in  that 
quarter. 

I presume  Mrs.  Washington’s  Bed  Chamber  is  the  same 
pitch  of  the  other  rooms  on  that  floor — but  that  I may  be 
certain  of  it,  I wish  you  would  measure  the  height  from  the 
floor  to  the  ceiling,  and  inform  me  thereof. — I request  also 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


265 


that  you  let  me  know  the  exact  widtli,  and  height  (in 
front  of  the  fire  place)  of  the  Chimney  in  the  Xew  di^-Koom, 
that,  if  I should  want  to  get  a stopper  (or  chimney  board)  for 
it,  as  in  some  of  the  other  rooms,  I may  be  at  no  loss  to  fit 
one  to  it. — And  with  respect  to  the  Cellar  windows  at  the 
South  end  of  the  Mansion  house,  I did  not,  in  my  former  re- 
quest, describe,  clearly,  what  I wanted — which  was,  to  know 
how  far  it  was  from  the  top  of  the  frame  which  is  about  the 
level  of  the  brick  pavement  and  projecting  into  it  without,  to 
the  top — or  within  an  inch  of  the  top  of  the  window  frame. — 
This,  and  not  the  whole  size  of  the  frame,  I wish  now  to 
know.  (Is  the  width,  and  ^1-^2  height  of  the  Cellar 

windows  in  front — the  dimensions  of  the  frame  from  out  to 
out  of  it — or  from  in,  to  in  ? — Are  the  Stone  Cills,  at  bottom 
of  these  window  frames,  wider  than  the  wood  frames  thereon  ? 
— And  how  much  ?) 

Order  Peter  to  take  good  care  of  the  three  young  (as  well 
as  the  three  covering)  Jacks  this  Winter ; and  to  feed  them 
in  such  a manner  as  to  keep  them  in  very  thriving  order,  that 
I may  turn  them  to  a good  Account  hereafter. — 

I am  Yom’  friend 

Washington. 

P.  S. 

Let  me  know  the  size  of  the  blue  Parlour — that  is  the 
length  and  breadth  of  it — and  how  far  it  is  from  the  hearth 
on  each  side  to  the  sides  of  the  Poom  that  the  size  of  the 
hearth  may  be  taken  out — the  Carpet  as  it  now  is  with  the 
[torn] . The  dimensions  of  the  4 sides  must  be  sent  also. 

CXIII. 

Philadelphia  27^^  Xov”^  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  17^^  under  cover  from  Mr.  Lear  came 
duly  to  hand,  as  did  the  Weekly  reports  of  the  yester- 
day.— 


266 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I am  disposed  to  let  Mr.  Smiths  debt  stand  upon  the 
security  you  have  placed  it — unless  before  the  24:*^^  of  next 
month  any  circumstances  should  occur  to  render  other  meas- 
ures necessary — or,  on  that  day  he  should  be  unprepared  to 
make  payment  and  require  further  indulgence. — In  either  of 
these  cases,  it  is  my  desire  that  you  will  consult  with  Mr.  Lear 
and  pursue  effectual  measures  by  requiring  additional  personal, 
or  real  Security,  or  both,  to  place  my  debt  out  of  danger. — 

As  you  mentioned  nothing  relative  to  the  Farms  in  your 
last  letter  I have  nothing  to  add  in  this  but  to  request  infor- 
mation, and  answers  to  the  queries  contained  in  my  last  let- 
ters— and  a wish,  to  know  how  the  Winter  grain  and  Yetches 
look,  and  How  your  Wheat  and  Corn  is  likely  to  yield. — 

I am  Your  friend 

Washington. 

P.  S. 

In  one  of  your  letters,  you  mentioned,  that  you  had  recov- 
ered eleven  dollars  of  Ja®  Kirks  money,  but  do  not  say 
whether  it  was  returned  to  him  or  not. — If  it  was  not,  give 
me  credit  for  it,  as  he  will  be  paid  here. — 

CXIY. 

Philadelphia  Dec’'  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Getting  no  letter  from  you  by  the  Post  of  yesterday — nor 
receiving  any  account  from  home,  leads  me  to  conclude  that 
something  more  than  common  has  happened,  as  your  last 
letter  is  dated  the  17^^  of  Kovember. — 

Hearing  nothing  of  the  state,  in  which  my  business  is,  for 
so  long  a time, — especially  too  as  the  weather,  for  the  Season, 
has  been  severe — I have  but  little  to  found  my  letter  upon  at 
this  time. — 

Enclosed  you  have  a bill  of  lading,  and  Invoice  of  Goods 
shipped  on  board  of  CapP  Ellwood,  on  my  account. — Let  the 
Oil  and  paint  be  put  into  some  secure  Cellar,  there  to  remain 


AXD  MOTOT  YERXON. 


267 


until  I come  home ; — and  such  of  the  Oznabrigs  as  is  neces- 
sary for  cloathing  the  people  (most  'wanting)  to  be  cut  out 
and  made  up  as  fast  as  circumstances  will  permit. — In  doing 
this,  I beg  every  care  and  attention  may  be  used  to  prevent 
waste  or  embezzlement  in  the  Act  of  cutting  out ; — and  by 
taking  a list,  to  be  left,  of  all  who  are  served ; — otherwise  the 
same  persons,  if  they  thought  they  could  succeed,  would  apply 
over  and  over  as:ain. — Give  out  but  one  roll  of  Oznabrigs  at 
a time,  and  see  how  that  is  cut, — worked  up, — and  disposed 
of,  before  another  piece  is  delivered. — How  far  the  Gardeners 
wife,  or  Allisons  wife  is  to  be  depended  upon  in  a business  of 
this  sort,  I know  not ; — but  this  I know,  it  is  as  little  as  either 
of  them  can  do  for  the  inconvenience  I sustain  by  their  living 
there,  and  the  attendance  they  receive  from  my  People. — 

The  enclosed  letter  to  the  Gardener,  relative  to  the  planting 
of  shrubs,  seal  and  deliver  to  him  after  you  have  read  it ; — 
and  if  such  freezing  weather  should  arrive,  before  your  de- 
parture, as  I have  described,  give  him  all  the  assistance  you 
can  to  improve  it ; and  in  case  it  does  not,  let  Mr.  Anderson 
know  what  my  wishes  are  respecting  this  matter. — I repeat 
to  you  my  solicitude  to  have  the  Ice  house  prepared  for,  and 
yjell  filled,  and  rammed,  when  Ice  is  formed. — It  will  be  of 
immense  importance  to  me  when  I get  home. 

I hope  Frank  has  taken  particular  care  of  the  Tarriers. — I 
directed  him  to  observe  when  the  female  was  getting  into 
heat,  and  let  her  be  immediately  shut  up;  and  no  other  than 
the  male  Tarrier  get  to  her. — I wish  you  well,  and  am 

Your  friend 

^ G°  Washes  GTOx. 

CXY. 

Philadelphia  Dec’'  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Since  my  last  to  you  was  dispatched,  I have  received  your 
letters  of  the  30th  of  Xov’'  and  insb — 


268 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


I am  sorry  to  hear  that  your  Wheat  begins  to  heat. — If  it 
does  this  in  a degree  to  do  it  much  injury,  it  ought  to  be  dis- 
posed of  for  the  best  price  you  can  get ; — but  otherwise,  as  I 
have  waited  so  long  to  grind  it,  and  shall  have  occasion  for 
the  Bran,  I had  rather  Manufacture  it  myself. — 

It  is  a matter  of  astonishment  to  me,  that  the  lower  floor 
of  the  Barn  at  Dogue-Bun  has  given  way  so  soon. — How  it 
was  laid  at  .flrst,  being  from  home,  I know  not ; — but  if  it 
had  been  extended  according  to  my  directions,  and  the  end  of 
the  sleepers,  by  the  tenons  had  rested  on  a Wall,  it  could  not 
have  given  way  until  the  Sleepers  themselves  had  failed. — As 
the  case  is,  I must  endeavour,  after  I come  home,  to  make  the 
floor  without  the  circle,  of  some  well  tempered  earth,  or  com 
position,  to  guard  against  the  expence  of  such  frequent  de- 
cays.— In  the  meantime,  the  best  shift  that  can,  must  be 
made. — 

I must  remind  you  of  having  the  Fork  killed  and  salted 
before  you  go  away  ; — and  above  all  things  attend  to  the  Ice 
house,  as  it  is  of  serious  importance  on  account  of  fresh  meat 
next  summer,  that  it  should  be  fllled. 

Kot  perceiving  by  the  weekly  rep*^,  that  any  of  the  Trees 
at  the  Mansion  house  have  been  taken  up,  or  trimmed  ; and 
as  little,  if  anything,  can  be  done  at  it  now,  give  Mr.  Ander- 
son all  the  information  you  can  relative  to  this  business ; and 
turn  the  string  of  Memorandums  (which  I sent  to  you  some- 
time ago)  over  to  him. 

Belying  on  Mr.  Smiths  making  you  the  flrst  payment  (on 
the  ins^)  according  to  promise,  I request  again,  that  no 
demand  against  me  may  be  left  unpaid ; — among  these  pay 
Gray  the  Weaver ; — and  let  all  that  is  owing  to  me,  be  re- 
duced to  promissary  notes. — 

I hope  all  the  Shelters  for  the  Cattle  are  up,  that  they  may 
be  secure  from  Snows,  Bain  and  cold  weather ; for  it  is  al- 
ways observable,  that  if  they  suffer  in  the  early  part  of  the 
AVinter,  they  rarely  get  perfectly  recovered  of  it. — 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


269 


Mr.  Craik  informs  me  that  Clark  (I  think  his  name  is) 
whom  you  recommended  to  him,  has  been  very  sick,  but,  not- 
withstanding, has  given  evident  demonstrations  of  his  fitness 
as  an  overlooker. — I wish  you  would  make  it  a point  to  see 
Clark,  and  fix  him  to  me,  as  agreed,  for  the  next  year ; — 
otherwise  I may  have  more  difficulty  in  doing  it,  than  at  the 
present  time ; from  causes  which  you  will  be  at  no  loss  to 
conjecture. — It  was  extremely  unlucky,  after  waiting  so  long 
to  get  an  answer  from  the  Eastern  Shore,  that  I had  not 
waited  a few  days  longer — until  Clark  arrived — Pray  did  you 
see  the  person  on  the  Eastern  shore,  when  last  there,  from 
whom  you  had  been  expecting  to  hear  ? — and  what  excuse 
did  he  make  for  not  fulfilling  his  promise  of  writing  to 
you  ? — 

In  my  next  letter,  I will  send  you  a certificate  of  my  satis- 
faction in  your  Services  as  a Manager. — I would  have  done  it 
now,  but  am  hurried,  and  it  will  be  in  time  then. — I am  Y’' 
friend 

and  well  wisher 

Washington. 

CXYI. 

Philadelphia  18^^  Dec*^  1796. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

Your  letter  of  the  IP^,  with  the  enclosures,  came  to  my 
hands  yesterday ; and  I am  sorry  to  find  by  it  that  so  late  as 
that,  you  were  still  without  rain.  I hope  what  has  fallen 
to-day,  will  have  extended  to  you: — here  it  has  rained  the 
whole  day  without  ceasing. — 

I do  not  know  whether  I understand  Mr.  Alex*^  Smiths 
proposition,  with  respect  to  putting  the  note  for  4839  dollars 
in  the  Bank,  to  be  discounted  at  the  end  of  Sixty  days; 
making  the  Bank  (instead  of  himself  and  securities)  liable 
therefor. — If  he  means,  that  at  the  end  of  the  Sixty  days, 
I am  to  receive  that  sum  from  the  Bank  without  interest 


270 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


thereon  for  that  time,  1 shall  not  accept  the  offer ; because 
there  is  neither  reason  nor  justice  why  I should  suffer  that 
loss  for  my  indulgence  to  him ; — but  on  the  other  hand,  if 
at  the  end  of  60  days,  it  is  to  be  paid  at  the  Bank  with 
interest,  in  the  same  manner  that  it  would  be  paid  by  him, 
I should  suppose  it  ought  to  be  preferred : — however,  as  I 
know  very  little  of  Bank  transactions,  but  believe  that  money 
matters  stand  rather  on  ticklish  ground,  1 would  (if  you  have 
an  opportunity)  have  you  consult  Mr.  Lear,  and  be  governed 
by  his  advice  in  this  business. — If  you  have  not  that  oppor- 
tunity, act  for  me  in  the  case,  as  you  would  for  yourself,  and 
I shall  be  satisfied  therewith.- — 

I will  not  have  the  ground,  in  which  I directed  Ivy  and  the 
wild  honey  suckle  to  be  planted,  plowed  beforehand. — I7or 
can  I find  what  it  is  the  Gardener  means  by  saying  he  has 
as  mucli  to  do  between  this  and  Christmas  as  he  is  able  to 
accomplish,  when  one  of  his  own  hands  (according  to  his 
report)  is  at  work  with  the  House  gang,  and  might  be  re- 
called,— besides  which  he  has  been  authorised  to  employ 
Frank,  Hercules  and  Cyrus — nay,  even  to  call  for  more  aid 
if  necessary. — If  he  won’t  do  it,  or  makes  any  delay,  or  difii- 
culty  in  doing  it,  desire  him  to  give  up  my  letter  of  directions; 
and  order  Allison  to  set  about  the  work  agreeably  thereto. — 
If  the  ground  is  as  hard  frozen  as  I presume  it  is,  there  being 
no  Snow  on  it,  he  has  missed  the  most  favourable  opportunity 
of  taking  the  Plants  up,  with  frozen  earth  to  their  roots,  that 
ever  occurred,  or  may  occur  again  in  seven  years. — And  I 
suppose,  after  plowing  the  ground  up,  would  give  me  a naked 
furrough  to  look  at  all  next  spring  and  summer,  instead  of  a 
Plantation  of  fiowering  Shrubs. — I am  much  displeased  at  his 
conduct. — 

It  would  give  me  gi*eat  pleasure  to  have  the  Hew  road 
compleated,  or  in  a state  of  forwardness,  this  Winter  and 
Spring ; — but  I would  not  have  this  attempted  at  the  expence 
of  more  important  concerns. — you  have  crossed  the  road 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


271 


leading  into  Muddy-hole  farm,  let  the  Koad  from  thence  in 
a line  as  marked  he  opened  into  it — 16J  feet  wide  on  each 
side  of  the  stakes,  which  were  set'np. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  that  Mr.  Xeal  continues  so  much  indis- 
posed, for  my  Carpenters  really  appear  to  me  to  do  nothing ; — 
and  there  is  Sail  who  was  constantly  at  work  when  we  were 
at  home,  is  now  regularly  returned  sick  six  days  in  the 
Week  ; — and  Mima,  Dick,  and  some  others,  nearly  as  bad. — 
I had  a letter  from  Mr.  Anderson  by  the  last  Post,  who  in- 
forms me  that  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  leave  the  concern  he 
was  engaged  in  at  the  time  I wished  him  to  be  at  Mount 
Yernon  ; — but  that  he  certainly  would  be  there  by  the  27^^^  or 
28^^  of  this  month,  if  he  was  alive  and  well. — I wish  it  may 
be  convenient  for  you  to  stay  a few  days  after  he  comes  to 
give  him  a thorough  insight  into  the  business,  and  then 
transfer  the  directions  I have  given  concerning  it  to  him. — 
Shall  I not  want  Clover,  and  other  Grass  seeds  for  the  next 
year  ? — and  how  much  ? — As  these  things  can  neither  be  pro- 
cured, or  sent  at  all  times,  they  slP  be  noticed  in  season. — I 
wish  you  well  and  am 

Your  friend 

G®  Washington. 

P.  S. 

What  has  Frank,  Hercules  and  Cyrus  been  employed  in. — 
Ho  mention  is  made  of  any  work  performed  by  them  in  the 
Gardeners  or  other  Peports. 

CXYII. 

[Certificate] 

Mr.  William  Pearce  having  Superintended  the  Farms,  and 
other  business  appertaining  to  my  estate  of  Mount  Yernon, 
during  my  absence  as  President  of  the  United  States  for  the 
last  three  years  (ending  the  31st  of  the  present  month) — It  is 


272 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


due  to  him  to  declare,  and  I certify  it  accordingly,  that  his 
conduct  during  that  period  has  given  me  entire  satisfaction ; 
and  that  I part  with  him  reluctantly,  at  his  own  request,  on 
account  of  a Rheumatic  affection  which  he  thinks  would  pre- 
vent him  from  giving  that  attention  to  my  business  which 
from  laudable  motives  he  conceives  would  he  necessary. 

His  industry  and  zeal  to  serve  me,  during  the  period  above 
mentioned  have  been  conspicuous  on  all  occasions. — His 
knowledge  in  Farming,  and  mode  of  managing  my  business 
in  all  its  relations,  have  been  highly  satisfactory  to  me. — and 
I have  every  reason  to  believe  that  his  conduct  in  paying  and 
receiving  money  has  been  strictly  regular  and  just. — In  a 
word,  I have  had  great  confidence  in  his  honesty,  sobriety,  in- 
dustry and  skill ; and,  consequentl}^  part  with  him  with 
regret. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Philadelphia 
this  18*^  day  of  December  1796.^ 

G°  Washington. 

CXYHI. 

Mount  Yernon,  July  1797. 

Mr.  Pearce. 

Sir, 

My  Overseers  at  Hnion  and  Dogue-run  Farms  are  endeav- 
ouring to  play  the  same  game  they  did  last  year — that  is — to 
raise  their  wages ; but  as  I am  fully  resolved  not  to  do  it 
(especially  as  the  price  of  produce  is  reduced  a hundred  p^ 
C^)  I am  induced  to  ask  you — as  Clark  who  engaged  with 
Mr.  Craik  is  dead,  and  expectation  from  that  quarter  is  at 
an  end — if  you  could  recommend  a person  whom  you  know 
would  suit  me,  for  Hnion  farm  ? 

It  is  not  impossible  but  that  I may  reduce  the  hands  at 
Union  farm  and  place  it  and  Dogue-run  Farm  under  the  same 
Overlooker  : — but  even  in  this  case,  I will  not  give  more  than 


^Appendix  M. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


273 


Sixty  pounds  wages,  with  the  Usual  allowances  of  Provis- 
ions.— 

I shall  insist  upon  a Dairies  being  attended  to  by  the  Over- 
seers wife,  and  that  Fowls  shall  be  raised  for  my  Table ; — and 
that  nothing  shall  be  sold  from  the  Farms  for  their  benefit ; 
as  the  wages,  with  the  allowances  of  Provisions,  is  all  the 
man  and  his  wife  have  to  expect. — 

I would  thank  you  for  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  this 
letter  by  the  Post,  as  soon  as  it  gets  to  hand,  that  I may  be 
certain  of  its  safe  arrival : — and  as  soon  after  as  possible,  let 
me  know  (without  absolutely  engaging  any  one)  what  depend- 
ence I could  place  on  your  getting  a good  man  ; with,  or  with- 
out a wife,  but  not  too  large  a family. — It  is  necessary  I 
should  hear  from  you  soon  on  this  subject,  as  some  are  offer- 
ing, and  the  season  for  engaging  good  Overseers  is  at  hand. — 
I hope  to  hear  your  health  is  restored  to  you,  and  that  your 
crops  have  been,  and  are  likely  to  be,  good. — My  Crop  of 
Wheat  is  as  good  as  I had  any  reason  to  expect ; but  the  Hes- 
sian fly  began  just  before  harvest  to  cut  it  down. — Next  year 
I expect  their  attack  will  be  formidable  and  severe. — Could 
there  be  any  dependance  on  purchasing  three  or  4 hundred 
bushels  of  Eye  in  your  Neighbourhood,  and  at  what  price  ? — 
I wish  you  and  family  well  and  am  your  friend  and  H'^^® 
Servant 

Washington. 

P.  S. 

The  drought  is,  and  has  been  extremely  severe  upon  us : — 
Corn  not  half  leg  high  ; what  will  be  the  consequence  I know 
not. 

CXIX. 

Mount  Yernon  14^^  Aug^  1797. 

Mr.  Pearce. 

Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  24*^  of  July  has  been  received,  and  I 
thank  you  for  your  ready  compliance  with  my  request ; but 


274 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


recollecting  how  1 was  served  last  year,  I must  remind  you, 
that  the  season  will  not  allow  me  to  wait  long  for  your  decis- 
ive answer — especially  too,  as  persons  are  now  applying  in 
this  quarter. — 

I must  repeat  in  this,  what  I said,  or  meant  to  say  in  my 
last — that  is — that  I do  not  wish  you  to  enter  into  any  engage- 
ment that  will  be  binding  on  me ; — but  to  make  enquiry  for 
such  an  Overseer  as  you  know  would  suit  me ; — know  precise- 
ly the  lowest  terms  on  which  he  could  be  obtained  for  Union 
Farm ; — and  give  me  as  speedy  notice  thereof  as  is  in  your 
power. — Mr.  Anderson  seems  to  think  that  one  man  may 
Overlook  both  Union  and  Dogue-run  Farms  for  the  wages 
of  Sixty  pounds,  but  whether  this  would  be  more  eligable 
than  two  at  about  £70  or  £75  between  them  is  questionably, 
as  there  are  few  Negros  who  will  work  unless  there  be  a con- 
stant eye  on  them — or  who  will  not  slight  it  if  there  is  not 
this  eye. — 

The  fallow  fields  at  Union  and  Dogue-run  farms  looked 
well  at  Harvest ; and  I believe  will  yield  well,  but  the  Hes- 
sian fly  had  made  an  attack  upon  the  latter  which  had  injured 
it  in  some  degree. — Next  year  I expect  this  attack  will  be 
much  more  formidable,  which  is  one  reason  why  I propose  to 
encrease  my  seeding  with  Hye,  considerably  this  Fall. — I per- 
ceived no  difference  between  the  French  plowed  part  and  the 
parts  adjoining  from  hence  the  inference  is  that  it  was  attend- 
ed with  no  advantage  ; in  the  last  Crop  at  least. — 

We  have  been  as  wet  latterly  as  we  were  dry  before; 
which,  to  me,  has  produced  both  good  and  evil. — My  Corn  is 
much  amended  by  it,  but  my  Hay  ruined ; and  I have  had 
Wheat  injured  in  the  Stack. — I am  glad  to  hear  that  your 
Crop  has,  and  promises  to  be,  tolerable  good. — But  am  sorry 
that  your  own,  and  daughter  Nancy’s  indispositions  con- 
tinue.— 

A small  bag  of  Rye-grass  seeds  came  here  without  any 
letter. — We  guessed  from  whence  it  came,  but  was  not  cer- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


275 


tain  until  some  time  after,  when  your  letter  announced  it. — 
For  sending  it  I thank  you,  and  if  several  bushels  of  the  Seed 
could  be  purchased  and  sent  to  me,  I would  with  pleasure  pay 
the  cost  to  your  order. — 

Mrs.  Washington  and  the  rest  of  the  family  are  as  usuaP 
— and  I am  your  friend  and 

Servant 

G®  Washington. 


cxx. 

Mount  Vernon  6^^  May  1798. 

Mr.  Pearce, 

A few  days  ago  the  enclosed  a/c  was  sent  in,  and  others  of 
a similar  nature  have  also  been  presented. — To  guard  against 
these  after  claps  was  the  reason  why  I urged  you  with  so  much 
earnestness  to  leave  no  accounts  unpaid,  of  your  own  con- 
tracting.— 

Why  The  balance,  if  just,  was  left  unpaid,  when  you  had 
money  to  go  to,  at  pleasure,  or  why  it  was  referred  to  Mr. 
Lear  to  pay,  T am  unable  to  say. — Some  accounts  which  have 
been  presented,  I have  caused  to  be  proved  ; — but  in  the  case 
of  Mess”^®  Fosters  & May,  they  have  been  informed  that  the 
account  should  be  transmitted  to  you  for  explanation. — I 
request  therefore  you  would  let  me  know  whether  the  Bal- 
ance claimed  by  them  is  really  due — In  short,  be  kind 
enough  to  give  me  such  information  concerning  it  as  you 
are  possessed  of,  that  the  matter  may  be  settled  with  those 
Gentlemen  ; and  with  it,  return  their  Account. 

In  cradling  my  Wheat  the  coming  Harvest  I wish  to  catch 
it  in  the  hand,  in  the  manner  practised  on  the  Eastern  Shore 
and  other  places  ; but  as  none  of  my  People  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  cutting  in  this  way,  they  might  need  an  Instructor. — 
Would  it  be  in  your  power  to  engage  a person  who  under- 
stands this  business  perfectly^  and  fixing  the  Cradles,  to  be 


’ Appendix  N. 


276 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


here  by  the  25*^^  June — to  be  paid  by  the  day  while  here,  and 
for  coming  and  returning — and  his  reasonable  travelling  ex- 
pences  ? — 

At  any  rate  I pray  you  to  let  me  know,  and  as  soon  as  you 
conveniently  can,  if  I might  depend  upon  it. — Inform  me  at 
the  same  time,  if  you  please,  whether  the  Cradles  and  Scythes 
differ  in  any  respect  from  those  which  you  know  I use — and 
if  they  do,  to  inform  me  in  what  the  difference  consists,  that 
I may  be  preparing  against  Harvest. — The  Scythe,  I presume 
must  be  the  same,  but  the  fixing  of  it  to  the  sneed  may  differ ; 
— and  the  Cradle  may  vary  from  the  usual  Kind,  by  having 
more,  or  less  fingers — more  or  less  coming — &c^. — All  of 
which  can  readily  be  described  in  a letter,  by  a person  well 
acquainted  with  the  two  sorts,  so  as  to  enable  me  with  the 
assistance  of  Mr.  Stuart,  who  you  know  is,  from  his  own 
account,  acquainted  with  all  things  to  go  on  in  this  mode  even 
if  you  sh*^  not  be  able  to  procure  me  a very  skilful  hand  (for 
none  other  I would  have  sent). — I remain  Your  friend  and 

Servant 

G®  Washington. 


CXXI. 

Washington  Ocfi^  24^^  1795. 

Mr.  Willia^i  Pearce — 

Dear  Sir, 

This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  Philips, 
a gentleman  from  England,  who  is  travelling  in  this  part  of 
the  Country,  and  is  desireous  of  Seeing  the  Seat  at  Mount 
Yernon. — You  will  be  so  good  as  to  shew  him  attentions  and 
civilities  and  Oblige 

Your  most  Obed^  Serv^ 

Tobias  Lear. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


CXXII. 


Alex^  Xov'^  11.  1796. 


Mr. Peirce 

Dear  Sir 

Permit  me  to  introduce  to  your 
acquaintance  Mr.  Ja:  Potts  a Gentleman  lately  from  England, 
who  being  on  his  way  to  Fredericksburgh,  and  having  heard 
much  of  the  Seat  of  the  President,  impelled  by  the  curiosity 
so  natural  to  Strangers  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Mount  Yernon 
to  visit  the  residence  of  the  Man  whose  Fame  all  Europe  Ac- 
knowledge— will  take  Mount  Yernon  in  his  way — any  civilities 
shown  him  or  his  Friend  a Mr.  Millburn  who  will  accompany 
him — will  not  only  be  pleasing  to  them,  but  particularly  ac- 
knowledged by 

Your  Humble  Serv^ 

Tho®  Patten. 


CXXIII. 

Articles  of  Agreement  entered  into  between  George  Wash- 
ington of  Mount  Yernon  in  Yirginia,  at  present  President  of 
the  United  States  and  residing  in  Philadelphia  of  the  one 
part,  and  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland  and 

State  aforesaid  House  Carpenter  and  Joiner  of  the  other  part. 
Witness  that  the  said  for  the  wages  and  other 

considerations  hereafter  mentioned,  doth  oblige  himself  and 
four  Xegro  Carpenters  belonging  to  him,  who  he  engages  to 
be  good  workmen,  to  wit,  to  serve 

the  said  George  Washington  one  year  from  the  time  they 
shall  enter  upon  the  execution  of  their  duties  at  Mount  Yer- 
non (which  he  promises  shall  be  on  or  before  the  day  of 
next  ensuing. — During  which  time  he,  and  tliey,  will 
conduct  themselves  soberly,  honestly  and  diligently  in  what- 
ever business  (in  the  line  of  their  profession)  they  shall  be 
employed  in. — That  he  will  besides  attending  to  his  own, 


278 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


superintend  all  such  Kegro  Carpenters  belonging  to  the  said 
George  Washington  as  shall  be  placed  under  his  care  and 
direction  ; and  to  the  utmost  of  his  skill  and  industry,  so 
order  and  contrive  the  work  for  the  whole,  or  any  part  thereof, 
as  to  carry  it  on  to  the  best  advantage  and  with  the  greatest 
facility. — That  he  will  be  particularly  attentive  as  well  to  the 
conduct  of  his  own  as  to  such  other  Carpenters  as  may  be  en- 
trusted to  him,  suffering  no  idleness  when  they  are  in  health, 
nor  no  neglect  of  them  when  sick. — That  he  will  cause  proper 
care  to  be  taken  of  the  Tools,  and  see  them  forthcoming  when- 
ever called  for ; or  a satisfactory  account  rendered  of  them  if 
they  are  not. — That  he  will  enter  in  a book  to  be  kept  for 
that  purpose  an  acc^  of  all  the  Work  which  has  been  done  by 
himself  and  the  Carpenters  over  whom  he  is  placed,  and  re- 
port the  same  weekly. — That  he  will  never  be  away  from  his 
people  when  they  are  at  work  and  he  is  in  health ; nor  be  ab- 
sent from  his  duty  without  permission  from  the  said  George 
W ashington  or  his  Manager ; but  on  the  contrary,  by  close 
attention,  and  an  industrious  conduct,  will  set  an  example  to 
them  worthy  of  imitation. — And  Whereas  it  too  often  hap- 
pens that  men  (regardless  of  their  engagements  and  of  course 
their  reputation)  when  working  on  standing  wages  are  apt  to 
be  idle,  careless  and  indifferent  to  the  interest  of  their  Em- 
ployers, thereby  setting  the  reverse  of  good  examples,  it  is 
hereby  clearly  understood  and  expressly  agreed  to  by  the  said 
that  he  will  be  at  his  business  as  soon  as  it  is 
light,  and  remain  thereat  until  dark,  when  he  is  in  health ; 
and  when  not  employed  in  laying  out,  or  marking  off  work  for 
others,  that  he  will  labour  as  faithfully,  and  as  effectually  as 
any  hand  under  him  ; as  well  for  the  purpose  of  fulfilling  this 
agreement  as  for  the  good  example  he  would  set  by  so  doing 
to  those  who  are  under  his  care,  and  who  are  not  so  ignorant 
(knowing  this  is  required  of  him)  as  not  to  relax  as  he  relaxes, 
and  be  idle  in  proportion  as  he  is  idle ; because  all  of  them 
have  discernment  enough  to  know  that  no  man  can,  with  pro- 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


279 


priet}%  or  a good  conscience,  correct  others  for  a fault  he  is 
guilty  of  himself the  consequence  of  which  is,  that  indo- 
lence and  sloth  take  possession  of  the  whole. — Lastly^  the 
said  doth  hereby  oblige  himself,  during  the  term 

aforesaid,  to  conform  to  all  orders  and  directions  in  the  line 
of  his  business,  or  in  any  other  that  is  reasonable  (his  time 
being  paid  for  by  the  said  George  W ashington)  which  he  the 
said  George  Washington,  or  person  having  the  general  Super- 
intendency of  his  business,  shall  require.  In  consideration  of 
these  Services  well  and  truly  performed  on  the  part  of  the 
said  and  his  four  Kegro  Carpenters  before  named, 

the  said  George  Washington  doth  hereby  oblige  himself  to 
pay  the  said  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  p’^  Kalender 

month — estimating  dollars  at  Six  shillings  and  other  gold  and 
silver  at  that  rate ; for  the  hire  of  the  said  and 

the  four  [N’egro  Carpenters  before  mentioned  ; and  in  that 
proportion  in  case  any  of  them  should  be  unable  to  come,  or 
die  in  the  service  after  they  have  entered  upon  it. — The  said 
George  Washington  doth  moreover  agree  to  furnish  the  said 
and  his  four  Negro  Carpenters  with  provisions ; 
himself  with  lbs.  of  Porke  or  Beef,  and  bushels  of 
Indian  Meal  or  midling  flour  equivalent  in  value,  thereto ; 
and  his  Negros  with  the  same  provisions  in  quantity  and 
qualit}^  as  his  own  Negro  Carpenters  are  allowed — And  will 
provide  the  whole  with  Tools,  and  pay  their  taxes. — He  also 
agrees  to  furnish  the  said  with  a house  to  live  in, 

or  if  this  cannot  be  done  in  time,  conveniently,  then,  and  in 
that  case,  a room  seperate  and  distinct  from  any  other  person 
or  persons. — But  the  said  is  to  provide  his  own 

bed  and  necessaries  ; as  also  such  kind  of  bedding  as  he 
chuses  to  allow  his  own  Negros. — For  the  true  and  faithful 
performance  of  this  agreement,  the  parties  do  bind  them- 
selves each  to  the  other  in  the  sum  of  pounds  this 

day  of  1793.  G®  Washington. 

Test,  for  G°  Washington  B^  Dandredge. 


280 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


CXXIV. 


Calculation  of  the  nmnber  of  Bricks  wanting  for  the  Barn 
at  Riv^  farm. 


From  the  foundation  (which  ought  to  be  below  the 
penetration  of  frost)  to  the  Sleepers,  suppose  3 
feet ; — this  of  a 2^  brick  wall,  would  require  ab^ 
30  bricks  to  the  foot,  and  the  2 sides  and  2 
ends  making  together  180  feet  running  meas- 
ure, will  take 


' Bricks. 


^16,200 


From  the  Sleepers,  or  water  table,  to  the  top  of  the 
wall — 16  feet  high,  and  2 brick  thick,  will  re- 
quire at  the  rate  of  24  to  foot 


-69,120 


The  two  inner  walls  of  the  sheds  from  the  barn  (in- 
tended for  Stables)  being  30  feet  each,  and  2 
brick  thick  to  the  water  table,  of  the  Barn — say 
3 feet  high — requires 


1 


K,320 


From  hence  to  the  top  of  the  wall  16  feet,  a brick 
and  half  thick — Twice  30  feet 


17,280 


Two  outer  walls  of  d®  60  feet  long  each  and  If  brick 
thick ; and  within,  and  out  of  the  gr'^  10  feet 
high  ; will  require 


-21,600 


The  4 ends  of  the  sheds  12  feet  each  makes  48  feet 
— the  medium  height  of  w®^  will  be  about  15 
feet  and  these  of  a brick  and  half  will  need .... 


-11,460 


Total 


139,980 


Lane  between  the  lots  and  number 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


281 


Part  of  number  5. 


282 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


cxxv. 


Rotation  of  Crops  for  Dogue  Run  Farm. 

First Corn  and  Potatoes  in  alternate  Rows — to  be  laid 

down  in  Wheat — with  Clover  sown  therein  at 
the  breaking  np  of  the  Frost. — 

Second . . . Wheat — and  Clover. 

Third.  . . .Clover. 

fourth.. . .Clover — but  to  be  sown  in  the  Fall  with  Wheat  on 
a single  plowing. 

Fifth  . . . .Wheat — and  Buck  Wheat  on  the  Stubble  as  soon 
as  the  Wheat  comes  off. — 

Sixth  ....  Oats. — 

Seventh.  .Pasture  to  Pen  on — and  to  receive  all  the  Manure 
which  can  be  procured — for  the  purpose  of  again 
beginning  with. 

Corn and  so  on  as  above. — 


Rotation  for  the  other  Farms. 

1®^  Corn  and  Potatoes  (if  to  be  had)  as  above  to  be  laid 
down  with  Wheat. 

2"^  Wheat. 

3^  Buck  Wheat  to  be  plowed  in  for  Manure  and  Wheat 
sowed  thereon  in  the  Fall. 

^th  "VVheat. 

5^^  Half  in  Oats  and  half  in  B : Wheat. 

6^^  Pasture. 

7^^  Ditto — to  be  penned  on  and  manured  as  above. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


288 


CXXYI. 


Xorth  side  of  the  Road  cleared  formerly 43 — 3 — 4 

S®of  the  Road 17 — 0 — 19 

Cleared  last  WinU  21 — 2 — 3 


82—1—26 

» Within  Corn  field. . . . .' 22 — 3 — 19 


Total — M : House 105 — 1 — 5 


CXXYII. 

Terms  on  which  the  Farms  at  Mount  Vernon  may  he  obtained. 

There  not  being  much  difference  in  the  quality  of  the  soil 
of  River,  Union,  and  Dogue-run  farms,  the  rent  of  each,  by 
the  acre,  will  be  the  same.  The  soil  of  River  farm  has,  gen- 
erally, been  most  productive ; but  not  having  the  meadow 
grounds  of  the  other  two,*it  will  hardly  be  esteemed  more 
valuable,  or  more  profitable  in  future. 

The  rent  of  these  three  farms  (in  which  the  meadow 
grounds  at  the  two  latter  will  be  blended  with  the  arable)  is 
a bushel  and  an  half  of  Wheat  for  each  acre  contained  within 
the  limits  of  the  present  fencing,  or  on  failure  of  that  Crop 
an  equivalent  in  Cash  at  the  Market  price  of  the  article : — 
the  bounds  of  which  shall  be  correctly  described  in  the  Leases, 
and  the  quantity  precisely  ascertained  by  accurate  resurveys, 
for  the  purpose  of  rectifying  former  errors,  if  any  have  been 
committed, — or  alterations,  if  any  have  been  occasioned  by  the 
removal  of  fences,  since  the  fields  were  first  established. 

(The  reasons  why  I fix  the  rent  in  Wheat  are,  V because 
it  is  the  staple  produce  of  the  part  of  the  country  in  which 
the  Estate  lies.  2*^  because  it  is  convenient  to  the  Tenant,  and 


284 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


equitable  for  both  him  and  the  Landlord;  there  being  no 
more  trouble  or  expense  in  raising  this  article  when  it  bears 
a high,  than  when  it  is  at  a low  price : — consequently  as  it 
now  is,  and  probably  will  continue  to  be  a regulating  standard 
for  the  price  of  other  articles  foreign  and  domestic,  the  Kent 
thus  established  will  keep  pace  therewith.  Whereas  was  it 
fixed  in  money,  the  depreciation  in  that,  and  progressive  rise 
in  other  things  might  render  a good  rent  now  a mere  nominal 
one  fourteen  years  hence.  To  fix  the  rent  in  wheat  now 
when  it  bears  so  high  a price,  may  be  thouglit  extravagant; 
but  no  person  of  information  can,  or  does  suppose  otherwise, 
than  that  the  price  of  this  article  will  be  reduced  to  its  old  or 
progressive  price  so  soon  as  the  wars  in  Europe  cease  and 
tranquillity  is  again  restored.  It  is  to  be  understood,  that  the 
rent  when  paid  in  wheat,  is  to  be  delivered  on  or  before  the 
first  of  December  in  every  year,  to  the  Collector.) 

To  the  two  farms  which  lie  on  the  river,  the  Fisheries 
which  now  are,  have  been,  or  again  might  be  used  as  such, 
may  be  annexed ; and  may  be  obtained  for  the  same  term  of 
years  that  the  Lease  is  given  for  the  farm  adjoining,  and  at  a 
reasonable  rent ; — or  they  will  be  let  separately  to  others,  with 
the  priviledge  of  ingress  and  regress  thro’  the  farms. 

Dogue-run  farm  will  comprehend  no  part  of  the  Mill 
meadows,  or  mill  swamp ; nor  any  gi’ound  without  the  present 
outer  fences  of  the  fields,  except  the  woodland  w^^  is,  in  a 
manner,  encompassed  by  fields  Is®  2.  3.  5 and  7,  which  if  the 
farm  is  let  in  an  undivided  state,  may  be  enclosed  merely  for 
a woodland  pasture.  In  like  manner  the  other  farms  are  to 
be  circumscribed  by  the  outer  fences  of  the  respective  fields ; 
and  no  more  land  is  to  be  cleared  within  them,  than  what  is 
now  in  use,  except  by  special  agreement,  and  for  a certain 
fixed  compensation. — 

Each  farm,  whether  in  its  present  or  divided  state,  will  be 
supplied  with  fuel  from  the  woodland  ; and  with  timber  for 
all  sorts  of  farming  implements  and  for  fencing,  with  the 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


2S5 


necessary  repairs  to  it,  until  hedges  can  be  raised  ; a measure 
which  will  be  insisted  upon  as  far  and  as  soon,  as  it  is  reason- 
ably practicable. 

Muddy  hole  farm  being  more  indifferent  than  either  of 
the  other  three,  will  be  let  for  a quarter  of  a bushel  less  per 
acre  ; but  subject  in  other  respects  to  the  same  regulations. — 

Tobacco  will  not  be  allowed  to  be  cultivated  for  market, 
on  any  of  the  farms  ; ^ nor  more  than  a sixth  part  of  the  ara- 
ble Suffered  to  be  in  Indian  Corn,  in  any  year  during  the 
term  of  the  Leases  ; and  the  rotation  which  is  annexed,  or 
some  other  not  more  oppressive  to  the  land,  will  be  insisted 
upon  ; as  also  that  Hogs  shall  not  run  at  large. 

If  the  farms  are  let  in  their  undivided  state,  no  more 
buildings  will  be  necessary  than  what  are  already  on  the 
premises  : — but  if  they  are  divided,  houses  in  proportion  to 
the  number,  and  size  of  the  Lots  which  will  be  separated 
from  those  which  may  contain  the  present  buildings,  will  be 
required  ; tire  materials  for  which  must  be  provided  by  the 
tenants  themselves,  except  small  aids  from  the  woodland. 
But  as  the  earth  at  every  farm,  and  in  every  part  of  each 
farm,  is  good  for  brick  or  mud  walls,  (the  last  of  which  are 
warm  and  good  when  judiciously  made)  they  would  be  rec- 
ommended ; especially  the  former,  as  infinitely  preferable, 
more  durable,  requiring  less  repairs,  and  very  little,  if  any, 
dearer  than  wood  buildings,  even  in  their  first  cost. 

Leases  will  be  given,  conformably  to  the  advertisement  in 
the  Gazettes ; namely,  for  fourteen  years,  if  the  farms  are 
undivided ; and  for  eighteen  years,  if  they  are  divided,  for 
such  lots  as  will  be  excluded  from  the  present  buildings; 


^In  1789  Washington  planted  30,000  tobacco  plants  at  Dogue  Run  farm, 
but  afterwards  reached  the  conclusion  that  tobacco  was  injurious  to  the  soil. 
With  reference  to  the  use  of  tobacco  bj  Washington  personally,  an  Alex- 
andria legend  says  he  was  once  nearly  choked  by  a bit  of  tobacco,  kept  in 
his  mouth  as  he  lay  down  ; but  Dr.  McGuire  says,  “ He  never  used  tobacco 
in  any  shape,  always  expressing  a great  aversion  to  it.” 


286 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON- 


with  the  usual  covenants  for  the  security  of  the  rents  ; keep- 
ing the  farms  in  tenantable  repairs ; planting  fruit  trees 

The  Mill,  and  every  thing  appertaining  to  it,  is,  at  the  time 
of  letting,  to  be  critically  examined,  and  must  be  returned  in 
like  good  order  at  the  expiration  of  the  Lease. 

The  present  farms,  as  has  been  mentioned  before,  may  be 
divided  into  large,  or  small  lots,  so  as  to  suit  the  convenience 
of  those  who  may  incline  to  associate ; but  less  than  one  of 
the  present  fields,  at  any  of  the  farms,  except  where  they  are 
large,  ought  not  to  compose  a lot ; and  to  lay  them  off  by 
fields,  would  be  convenient  and  desirable,  on  account  of  the 
Ditches,  hedges  and  fences  that  are  now  in  use. — 

x\lthongh  the  admission  of  slaves  with  the  tenants  will  not 
be  absolutely  prohibited  ; it  would  nevertheless,  be  a pleasing 
circumstance  to  exclude  them ; if  not  entirely,  at  least  in  a 
great  degree : — to  do  which  is  not  among  the  least  induce- 
ments for  dividing  the  farms  into  small  Lots. — 

Adjoining  to  River  farm,  are  grounds  which  noware  a com- 
mon, between  the  fences  of  fields  1.  2 and  3.  and  the  river. 
These  may  become  part  of  those  Lots  at  the  rent  per  acre  of 
the  other  part,  whether  the  farm  is  divided  or  not ; making 
the  river,  instead  of  the  present  fences,  the  boundary. 

For  every  acre  contained  in  the  Lease,  an  apple  tree  of 
good  grafted  fruit  is  to  be  planted  on  the  premises,  in  a reg- 
ular orchard  truly  laid  out  in  rows  forty  feet  a part  each  way. 
Between  which  (also  in  regular  order)  rows  of  peach  trees  will 
be  required. 

G®  Washington. 

February  1796. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


28T 


CXXVIIL 

Eotation  referred  to,  for  a Farm  containing  six  fields; 
besides  a homestead,  or  Inclosnre  for  the  Houses,  garden, 
and  yards. 

. . .Indian  Corn,  with  intermediate  rows  of  Potatoes,  or 
any  root  more  certain  or  useful  (if  such  there  be) 
that  will  not  impede  the  plough,  hoe  or  harrow  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  Corn. 

2^  . . . .Wheat,  Eye,  or  Winter  Barley  at  the  option  of  the 
Tenant — sown  as  usual  when  the  Corn  receives  its 
last  working. 

3*^ . . . . Buckwheat,  Peas,  or  Pulse ; or  Vegetables  of  any  sort, 
or  partly  of  all ; or  any  thing  else,  except  grain  (that 
is  corn  crops) — for  which  this  is  preparatory. 

. . . Oats,  or  Summer  barley,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Ten- 
ant, with  Clover,  if  and  when  the  ground  is  in  con- 
dition to  bear  it. — 

5  To  remain  in  Clover  for  cutting,  for  feeding,  or  for 

both — or  if  Clover  should  not  be  sown — or  if  sown 
should  not  succeed  ; — then  and  in  that  case  tlie  field 
may  be  filled  with  any  kind  of  Vetch,  pulse  or 
Vegetables. 

6  To  lie  uncultivated  in  pasture,  and  for  the  purpose  of 

manuring,  for  the  same  round  of  crops  again. 

The  other  fields  passing  through  the  same  courses  will, 
supposing  the  rotation  to  commence  in  the  year  1797,  appear 
in  one  view  by  the  plan  on  the  other  side. 

A Farm  containing  100  acres,  gives  six  fields  of  16  acres 
each  ; and  leaves  4 acres  for  the  houses,  garden  and  yards. — 
The  following  plan  shews  what  crops  will  be  taken  from  the 


288  GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

said  farm  annually ; and  these  at  a very  moderate  estimate 
will  produce  as  follows 


16  acres  in  Indian  Corn  at  12  busli^®  is  192  bush®  a 3/.  is  £28 . 16 


Same  in  Potatoes. . . . 

.D° 

..  ..DV... 

2/..  19.  4 

16  acres.  .Wheat 

. .10 

...160... 

00 

16  acres.  .Buckwheat  . . 

.10 

...160..., 

2/..  16... 

16  acres.  .Oats 

, .15 

...240..., 

2/6.  30... 

16  acres.  .Clover  or  Yegetables.  .uncertain 


Total,  besides  Clover  or  &c®“ £142.  0 

Rent  of  100  acres  at  a bushel  and  a half  of  Wheat, 

or  a dollar  and  half  acre 45 . 0 

Remains  for  the  Tenant 97.  0 


ROTATION  FOR  A FARM  OF  SIX  FIELDS. 


Number 
of  the 
Fields. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799.1 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1. 

Corn 

& 

Potatoes 

Wheat 

Rye 

&ca 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  &c» 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover 

Clover 

or 

Pulse. 

Pasture 

Si 

Manure- 

2. 

Pasture 

& 

Manurs. 

Corn 

& 

Potas 

Wheat 
Rye 
or  Sica 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  Sica 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover 

Clover 

or 

Pulse. 

3. 

Clover 

or 

Pulse 

Pasture 

& 

Manure 

Com 

Si 

Pota» 

Wheat 
Rye 
or  &ca 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  Sica 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover. 

4. 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover. 

Clover 

or 

Pulse 

Pasture 

Si 

Manurs 

Corn 

Si 

Potas 

Wheat 
Rye 
or  Sica 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  Sica 

5. 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  &c» 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover 

Clover 

or 

Pulse 

Pasture 

& 

Manure 

Com 

Si 

Pota* 

Wheat 
Rye 
or  Sica 

6. 

Wheat 
Rye 
or  &c» 

Buck- 
wheat 
or  &c» 

Oats  or 
barley 
with 
Clover 

Clover 

or 

Pulse 

Pasture 

Si 

Manure. 

Com 

& 

Pota® 

1 Appendix  O. 


AND  MOUNT  VERNON. 


289 


In  England,  where  taxes  and  rents  are  both  high,  it  is 
estimated  that  if  every  thing  which  is  raised  on  the  farm,  will 
sell  for  three  times  the  rent,  that  the  farmer  is  in  eligible 
circumstances. — One- third  pays  the  rent — another  third  the 
taxes,  and  all  other  incidental  expenses  of  the  farm — and  the 
remaining  third  is  applied  to  whatever  purposes  the  farmer 
may  chuse. — The  above  principles  and  proportions,  apply 
equally  to  large  and  small  farms. — 


APPENDIX. 


. A (p.  3). 

Washington’s  earlier  managers  were  his  relatives, — Lnnd 
Washington,  George  Augustine  Washington,  Robert  Lewis, 
Howell  Lewis,  successively.  Circumstances  having  deprived 
him  of  their  services, — though  Robert  Lewis  continued  to  be 
his  general  agent  for  collections  etc.  on  his  estates  in  Yir- 
ginia, — he  employed  in  succession  Messrs.  Whiting,  Pearce 
and  Anderson.  It  appears  also  that  for  a time  he  employed 
a Mr.  Peake  in  this  capacity.  This  is  mentioned  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  E.  C.  McGuire,  in  his  little  book  on  The  Religious 
Opinions  and  Character  of  Washington,”  published  in  1836. 
Dr.  McGuire,  for  many  years  rector  of  St.  George’s  Church, 
Fredericksburg,  Ya.,  married  Judith,  daughter  of  Robert 
Lewis,  Washington’s  nephew  and  agent,  and  had  good 
sources  of  information.  The  contents  of  a letter  which  I 
have  not  seen  have  been  reported  to  me,  in  which  Washing- 
ton (while  President)  gives  Robert  Lewis,  when  undertaking 
the  management  of  Mount  Yernon,  detailed  instructions. 
He  is  to  send  in  careful  and  minute  weekly  reports  of  every 
event  on  the  estate,  of  the  smallest  incidents,  especially  re- 
lating to  the  negroea^  In  the  letters  he  shall  receive  from 
Washington,  ever}^  question  is  to  be  noted  for  answer  and 
then  cancelled  with  a pencil.  The  work  involved  was  by 
no  means  small  and,  though  liberally  paid,  it  is  not  wonder- 
ful that  the  managers  were  changed  pretty  often.  The  one 
who  served  him  longest  was  Lund  Washington,  concerning 
whom  see  Appendix  H. 


292 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  letter  shows  that  at  one  time  Washington 
thought  of  employing  the  elder  brother  of  Robert  and  Howell 
Lewis.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  the  mother  of  Lawrence 
could  not  spare  him,  for  there  appears  no  indication  of  that 
young  gentleman’s  having  resided  at  Mount  Yernon  until 
after  Washington  had  retired  from  the  presidency.  The 
letter  was  written  to  his  relative  Col.  Burgess  Ball,  and  1 am 
indebted  for  its  use  to  his  grandson  Capt.  George  Washington 
Ball,  author  of  an  invaluable  monograph  on  “ The  Maternal 
Ancestry  and  nearest  of  kin  of  Washington.” 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  4th,  1793. 

Dear  Sir, 

Previously  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  25th  ulto, 
some  persons  had  been  mentioned  to  me  as  well  qualified  for 
the  Superintendence  of  my  business  at  Mount  Yernon,  and 
until  something  is  decided  with  respect  to  them,  (letters  hav- 
ing passed  on  the  subject,)  I can  say  nothing  farther  with 
respect  to  Mr.  Lawrence  Lewis.  So  much  am  I engaged  in 
public  business,  and  so  little  have  I it  in  my  power  to  visit  or 
attend  to  my  private  concerns,  that  it  becomes  extremely 
necessary  (besides  fidelity)  to  have  an  experienced  and  skilful 
man  of  some  weight  to  manage  my  business — one  whose 
judgment  is  able  to  direct  him  in  cases  which  may  arise  out 
of  circumstances  that  can  neither  be  foreseen  nor  previously 
guarded  against. 

What  the  age  of  Mr.  Lawrence  Lewis  is,  what  opportunities 
he  may  have  had  to  acquire  any  knowledge  in  the  manage- 
ment of  a farm,  what  his  disposition,  whether  active  or 
indolent,  whether  clear  in  his  perceptions  and  of  good  judg- 
ment, whether  sober  and  sedate,  or  fond  of  amusements  and 
running  about,  with  other  queries  which  might  be  asked  as 
well  applying  to  a young  man  just  entering  on  the  career  of 
life,  are  all  matters  to  which  I am  an  entire  stranger,  and  if 
you  can  give  me  information  respecting  them,  I shall  thank  you. 


APPENDIX. 


293 


You  will  readily  perceive  that  my  sole  object  in  these  en- 
quiries is  to  ascertain  the  competency  of  a character  to  whom 
I should  commit  an  important  trust.  Consequently  going  no 
farther  can  operate  nothing  to  the  prejudice  of  my  nephew, 
whatever  in  confidence  you  say  to  me  on  the  foregoing  points 
and  such  others  as  may  occur  to  you. 

So  far  as  integrity,  and  I presume  sobriety,  would  qualify 
him,  I should  give  him  my  entire  confidence  ; but  though 
these  are  very  essential,  something  more,  circumstanced  as 
I am,  is  equally  necessary.  Was  I at  home  myself,  I should 
prefer  a person  connected  with  me,  as  he  is,  to  a more  skilful 
man  that  was  not,  (provided  he  had  no  thoughts  of  soon 
forming  a matrimonial  alliance)  because  he  could  aid  me  in 
attention  to  company,  which  I should  stand  as  much  in  need 
of  as  of  one  to  look  after  my  estate,  as  my  disposition  would 
lead  me  to  endulge  in  retirement  whenever  I shall  quit  my 
public  walks.  My  love  to  Mrs.  Ball  and  your  family,  in  w’ch 
Mrs.  Washington  joins.  With  sincere  regard  and  friendship, 
I am  y’rs  affectionately, 

G®  Washington.” 

By  the  favor  of  Governor  Wilson,  of  West  Yirginia,  a con- 
nection of  the  Washington  and  Lewis  families,  I am  able  to 
print  a characteristic  letter  from  Washington  to  Howell 
Lewis,  his  nephew  (see  p.  10)  while  managing  Mount  Yernon. 

Germantown,  Hov.  3,  1793. 

Dear  Howell, 

The  short  time  I was  with  you,  and  the  hurry  into  which 
I was  thrown  by  the  pressure  of  many  matters,  public  and 
private,  prevented  my  mentioning  many  things  which  ought 
to  have  been  communicated  to  you  before  I left  home;  but 
I shall  do  it  by  letter  as  they  may  happen  to  occur  to  me. 

I have  already  told  you,  that  the  corn  is  to  be  gathered 
without  loss  of  time  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit — 


294: 


APPENDIX. 


when  this  is  done,  let  all  that  is  intended  for  the  use  of  the 
respective  plantations  be  pat  into  corn  houses  by  itself  ; and 
the  overplus  into  other  Houses.  As  there  is  but  one  corn 
house  at  Muddy  hill,  Davy  must  put  all  that  grows  at  that 
place  into  it. 

I hope  the  quantity  will  exceed  150  barrels;  but  if  it 
should  fall  short  of  it,  that  quantity  must  be  made  up  from 
the  field  he  tended  at  Dogue  Hun — after  which,  the  residue 
of  that  field  of  his,  may  be  lofted  along  with  McKoy’s  corn. 
Let  McKoy  put  180  barrels  into  one  of  his  corn  houses  for 
the  use  of  the  Farm,  and  the  residue  in  the  other. — Crow 
may  put  250  barF^  in  one  house,  and  the  residue  in  an- 
other ; — and  Stuart  may  do  the  same — that  is — put  250 
barrels  in  one  house,  and  all  that  remains  in  the  other. — Tell 
all  of  them  that  I exhort  them  most  earnestly  to  be  extremely 
careful  of  the  Corn. — I know  this  article  will  fall  short  of  my 
demands  for  it ; and  I know  not  where  it  is  to  be  bought,  or 
where  to  find  monej^  if  I did. — Unless  you  can  buy  oats,  the 
horses  at  the  Mansion  house  must  be  fed  with  Corn  and  Bran, 
and  that  sparingly,  except  the  five  horses  which  are  to  come 
this  way  with  your  Aunt. — Have  an  eye  that  Martin  does  not 
neglect  them  ; — nor  spare  the  curry  comb. — He  wants  look- 
ing after. — The  Corn  with  which  these  five  horses  are  fed 
should  be  ground  into  small  homony,  and  if  Bran  was  mixed 
with  it,  it  would  be  none  the  worse,  and  would  go  farther. — 
The  Horses  on  the  different  Farms,  tell  the  overseers,  must  be 
kept  in  good  heart  (notwithstanding  the  sparing  use  of  the 
corn)  as  they  will  have  a great  deal  of  heavy  plowing  to  do 
this  Fall  and  Winter  ; which,  not  being  sure  I fully  explained 
to  all  of  them,  I herewith  enclose  a list ; with  which  you  will 
furnish  each  of  them,  tliat  is,  with  so  much  as  relates  to  his 
own  business. — 

As  a house  will  be  built  for  Crow  at  the  place  marked  out 
(not  far  fi’om  the  Barn)  the  corn  house  near  to  the  one  in 
which  he  now  lives,  ought  to  be  removed  to  the  Barn,  and 


APPENDIX. 


295 


set  in  uniformity  with  the  other,  before  the  corn  is  lofted  (if 
it  can  be  done  conveniently)  and  as  there  is  no  spring  near  to 
the  house  which  is  to  be  built  for  Crow,  a well  should  be  dug 
in  the  Barn  lane,  opposite  to  the  centre  of  that  house,  and 
exactly  half  way  between  the  same  and  those  which  will  be 
opposite  to  it  for  the  Xegros. — My  ideas  on  this  head  have 
been  explained  to  Thos.  Green,  as  to  the  spot. — This  well 
need  be  no  larger  in  the  diameter  than  is  sufficient  to  contain 
a pump,  which  it  must  receive ; and  the  size  proper  for  this 
you  must  enquire  into. — I should  think  Thomas  Davis  and 
Muclus  must  have  ingenuity  enough  to  sink  this  well  as  I 
hope  and  expect  it  will  be  very  shallow  after  they  have  laid 
the  foundation  (with  Brick)  for  the  Overseer’s  house ; but  if 
they  have  any  doubts  themselves  of  their  sufficiency,  employ 
the  well-digger  in  Alexandria,  who  sunk  the  well  at  the  Man- 
sion house  lately ; and  if  it  is  to  be  done  by  him  let  it  be 
undertaken  immediately — For  water  found  at  this  season  of 
the  year,  and  especially  after  so  parching  a drought,  may  be 
depended  upon — this  is  a good  reason  for  its  being  done 
soon,  by  whomsoever  it  is  undertaken. — 

I directed  the  Miller  to  put  up  6 Hogs  for  forward  Bacon, 
and  to  call  upon  McKoy  for  corn  to  feed  them. — I always 
forget  to  tell  the  latter  to  send  it,  and  possibly  it  has  been 
neglected. — enquire  into,  and  see  that  it  is  done. 

As  I am  almost  certain  I shall  want  feed  next  year,  both 
for  man  and  beast,  more  than  I have  made  this ; and  as  a 
good  deal  of  my  wheat  (unless  it  surprisingly  alters  from  the 
Bain  which  has  lately  fallen  here,  and  I hope  with  you)  tell 
Mr.  Stuart  and  Mr.  Crow  (whose  wheat  I think  was  next)  that 
if  they  could  sow  a^ part  of  that  which  is  most  missing  with 
Bye,  if  to  be  had,  it  will  be  a pleasing  thing  to  me. — I mean 
such  parts  of  the  field  only  as  are  not  likely  to  produce  Wheat 
next  year  with  any  prospect  of  success. — It  is  not  too  late  to 
sow  Bye,  and  the  straw  will  be  useful  for  thatching  sheds  for 
the  cover  of  my  cattle  ; which  I should  wish  to  do  before 


296 


APPENDIX. 


the  winter,  next  after  this  which  is  now  approaching  sets 
in. — 

If  you  cannot  get  oats,  about  ten  bushels  of  old  corn  ought 
to  be  reserved  for  feeding  the  horses  with,  which  are  to  come 
this  way,  some  days  before  they  set  out,  otherwise  travelling 
them  after  being  fed  upon  new  corn  may  be  the  loss  of 
some  of  them  on  the  road,  besides  the  detention  it  would 
necessarily  occasion  to  your  Aunt. 

Just  before  I left  home,  I discovered  that  the  Carters  and 
Waggoner,  in  order  to  get  their  horses  easily  of  mornings, 
turned  them  into  the  clover  lot  by  the  quarter. — forbid  this 
absolutely. — They  have  injured  it  considerably  already,  by 
eating  it  so  bare  as  for  the  frosts  to  kill  the  roots  but  will 
ruin  it  entirely  if  they  are  suffered  to  continue  this  practice 
any  longer. — 

When  the  Potatoes  are  taken  up,  tell  Butler  to  have  the 
tussocks  of  course  grass  or  Broom,  and  large  weeds  (which  I 
noticed  on  the  lower  part  of  that  lot)  taken  up  also ; that  the 
ground,  when  sown  next  Spring,  may  be  in  better  condition 
for  the  oats  and  clover  which  is  to  be  put  in  it. 

Whenever  the  weather  appears  to  be  settled,  and  the  morn- 
ing promises  a good  day,  get  Peter  and  Martin,  or  Charles 
(for  I know  not  what  he  does)  and  take  every  thing  out  of 
the  Store  that  requires  to  be  aired — cleaned  from  Mould,  and 
the  other  injuries  they  are  sustaining — and  when  thoroughly 
cleaned  and  dried,  returned  and  put  away  again  together  with 
the  other  things  in  that  place ; with  that  regularity  and  order 
that  whatever  is  wanted  from  thence  may  be  seen  and  got  at 
without  difficulty. — When  this  is  done,  take  an  exact  inven- 
tory of  the  whole  (even  to  minute  things)  and  send  it  to  me. 
That  I may  know  what  is  there. — The  Yaleses  (that  is  things 
like  Portmanteaus)  which  contain  my  Marquee  and  other 
things,  ought  all  to  be  opened,  wiped  clean,  and  dried. — The 
Trunk,  belonging  to  my  camp  equipage  should  be  served  the 
same  way  (The  Keys  you  will  find  in  my  writing  table)  and 


APPENDIX. 


297 


ill  short  every  thing  rescued  from  the  disorder  and  injury 
which  they  seemed  to  be  undergoing. — The  nails,  where  they 
are  not  in  whole  Casks  sh^^  be  counted  (which  is  soon  done  by 
counting  125  and  putting  the  same  weight  of  nails  in  the 
other  scale  and  keep  doubling  of  them  until  you  get  1000  in 
a scale ; after  which  you  wdll  soon  ascertain  the  whole  num- 
ber of  thousands  in  the  Cask). — I sent  (not  a great  while  ago) 
a considerable  quantity  of  Paint  from  Philadelphia  to  Mount 
Yernon  ; but  do  not  recollect  to  have  seen  any  in  the  store. — 
enquire  for  this,  and  let  it  be  put  there  for  safety  (if  it  can 
be  stored  there  conveniently)  or  kept  under  a lock  the  key  of 
which  is  in  the  box ; for  unless  this  is  done  there  will  be  a 
flemish  account  of  it  when  it  is  wanted  for  use. — Before  I left 
home  I directed  old  Jack  to  clean  the  seed  left  over  the  green 
house  thoroughly,  that  the  several  Bins  might  be  in  order  for 
the  reception  of  oats  or  other  grain  in  quantities,  which  might 
be  placed  there  for  Spring  seeding. — To  put  the  Casks  which 
liad  Timothy  and  Orchard  grass  seeds  by  themselves,  so  as  to 
be  known — and  all  the  empty  Casks  by  themselves,  and  as 
much  out  of  the  way  as  they  could  be. — See  that  this  is  done, 
and  tell  Butler  it  is  my  wish  as  soon  as  his  Potatoes  are  up, 
and  secured  in  the  manner  already  mentioned  to  you ; I de- 
sire he  will  immediately  thrash  out  all  the  oats  at  the  Man- 
sion on  the  Barn  floor  if  it  can  be  spared  by  the  w^ork  people 
— Measure  and  put  them  in  the  seed  loft  above  mentioned, 
and  inform  me  of  the  quantity. — Then  in  the  corn  lofts,  if 
any  remains  after  the  others  are  thrashed,  might  be  thrasljed 
also  ; as  I want  all  I have  for  seed  ; being  of  a good  kind. — 
The  straw  after  the  oats  are  taken  from  them,  may  be  still 
cut  for  the  Work  h'brses  as  usual,  but  Bran  or  chopped  corn 
must  be  mixed  therewith,  to  give  the  more  nourishment  to 
them. — 

As  the  Corn  house  at  Crows  is  of  frame  work,  and  not 
heavy,  while  empty,  it  may  be  removed  on  Pollers ; — and  as 
Mr.  Stilart  pretends  to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  manner 


298 


APPENDIX. 


of  doing  this  work  having  been  frequently  engaged  therein 
consult  him,  as  well  as  Green  on  this  business. — 

Stuart  says  there  is  a gum  tree  on  the  Farm  he  is  at  that 
will  make  excellent  rollers — Let  these  be  got  from  thence 
and  well  made  that  they  may  serve  for  other  purposes  here- 
after. It  will  naturally  occur  to  you  that  this  work  (if  done 
at  all  this  season)  ought  not  to  be  delayed  until  the  ground 
gets  soft,  for  that  would  increase  the  labour  four  fold,  if  not 
render  it  impracticable  at  all. — And  speaking  of  this  I will 
mention  a proverb  to  you  which  you  will  find  worthy  of  at- 
tention all  the  days  of  your  life ; under  any  circumstances, 
or  in  any  situation  you  may  happen  to  be  placed  ; — and  that 
is,  to  put  nothing  off  ’till  the  Morrow,  that  you  can  do  to 
day. — The  habit  of  postponing  things  is  among  the  worst  in 
the  world  doing  things  in  season  is  always  beneficial — but 
out  of  season,  it  frequently  happens  that  so  far  from  being 
beneficial,  that  oftentimes,  it  proves  a real  injury. — It  was 
one  of  the  sayings  of  the  wise  man  you  know,  that  there  is  a 
season  for  all  things,  and  nothing  is  more  true ; apply  it  to 
any  occurrence  or  transaction  in  life. 

I am  your  sincere  friend  and 

Affectionate  Uncle 

G.  Washington. 

P.S. 

If  you  could  get  a fair  rope  for  the  well  by  the  quarter  it 
would  be  desirable. — I directed  Peter  two  or  three  times  to 
make  enquiry  for  one  at  the  Rope  Makers  in  Alex^,  but  I do 
not  know  the  result  of  it. — As  your  Aunt  may  wish  to  see 
my  letters  to  you,  always  show  them  to  her. 

as  above, 

G.  W. 


APPENDIX. 


299 


B (p.  5). 

Col.  Bassett’s  sister  Elizabeth  married  Benj.  Harrison, 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  great-grand- 
father of  our  present  President  (1889). 

Washington’s  pleasant  personal  and  political  relations  with 
his  connections  at  Eltham  appear  in  the  following  note,  for 
which  I am  indebted  to  Miss  Virginia  Carter  Minor,  of  Hew 
York,  a descendant  of  Washington’s  aunt,  Mildred  Willis,  of 
Fredericksburg.  The  Association  alluded  to  was  the  Hon- 
importation  Association,  formed  in  May,  1769.  The 
“Patsy”  mentioned  was  Mrs.  Washington’s  daughter,  who 
died  in  1773.  She  had  fits,  for  which  Washington’s  diary 
mentions  an  application  of  “ the  iron  ring.” 


Mount  Vernon, 

June  y®  18*^,  1769. 

[Col.  Burwell  Bassett,  Eltham.] 

Deau  Sir, 

As  we  have  come  to  a Pesolution  to  set  of  (if  nothing  un- 
forseen  happens  to  prevent  it)  for  the  warm  springs  about  the 
18^^  of  next  Month  ; 1 do,  according  to  promise  give  you  no- 
tice thereof,  and  should  be  glad  of  your  Company  up  with 
us,  if  you  still  entertain  thoughts  of  trying  the  effect  of 
those  waters. — 

You  will  have  occasion  to  provide  nothing,  if  I can  be  ad- 
vised of  your  Intentions  before  the  waggon  comes  down  for 
my  necessaries,  so  that  I may  provide  accordingly. 

We  are  all  in  the  usual  way,  no  alteration  for  better  or 
worse  in  Patsy. — 

The  Association  in  this,  and  the  neighbouring  Counties  of 
Prince  William  and  Loudoun  is  compleat,  or  near  it,  how  it 


300 


APPENDIX. 


goes  on  in  other  places  I know  not,  but  hope  to  hear  of  the 
universality  of  it. — 

We  all  join  tendering  our  Loves  to  Mrs.  Bassett  and  your- 
self, Family  and  Mrs.  Dandridge  and  Betsy,  and  1 am 
Sir 


Most  Affec^ 
.Hbl  Serv^ 


Washington. 


APPENDIX. 


301 


C (p.  12). 

German  Town  24*^  1793. 

Col.  Buegess  Ball,  Leesburgh 

Dear  Sir, 

I have  duly  received  your  letter  of  the  16^^  Instant, 
from  Leesburgh. 

In  answer  to  which,  respecting  the  purchase  of  Buck  Wheat, 
I send  you  a Bank  note  for  two  hundred  dollars ; being  more 
disposed  to  give  two  and  six  pence  p’^  Bushel  in  Loudoun  than 
depend  upon  the  purchase  here,  and  the  uncertainty  of  get- 
ting it  round  in  time. — What  the  Waggonage  of  it  to  my 
house  from  thence  (as  fast  as  it  is  bought,  for  that  I make  a 
condition  in  order  that  no  disaj)jpointment  may  happen)  will 
be,  I know  not ; but  with  a view  to  place  the  matter  upon  an 
absolute  certainty  I had  rather  give  three  and  six  pence  for  it, 
delivered  at  Mount  Yernon,  than  encounter  delay,  or  trust  to 
contingencies ; because  as  it  forms  part  of  my  system  of  Hus- 
bandry for  the  next  year,  a derangement  of  it  would  be  a 
serious  thing;  for  which  reason  a small  difference  in  the  price 
can  be  no  object  when  placed  against  the  disconcertion  of  my 
plans ; especially  too,  as  I am  persuaded  you  will  purchase, 
and  transport  the  B.  Wh^  for  me  on  the  best  terms  you  can. 

Four  hundred  and  fifty  bushels,  or  call  it  500,  is  the  quan- 
tity I shall  want ; and  more  money  shall  be  sent  to  you  as 
soon  as  I know  your  prospects,  and  the  expenditures  of  what 
is  now  forwarded.  For  the  reason  I have  already  assigned,  I 
must  encounter  no  disappointment ; if  therefore  your  pros- 
pects (as  you  proceed  in  this  business)  are  not  so  fiattering  as 
those  detailed  in  your  letter,  inform  me  of  it  in  time,  that  I 
may  supply  myself  from  hence  before  the  frost  sets  in. 

The  malady  with  which  Philadelphia  has  been  sorely 
afflicted,  has,  it  is  said,  entirely  ceased ; — and  all  the  Citizens 


302 


APPEXDESL 


ai-e  returning  to  their  old  habitations  again. — I took  a house 
in  this  town  when  I first  arrived  here,  and  shall  retain  it  until 
Congress  get  themselves  fixed  ; although  I spend  part  of  my 
time  in  the  City. 

Give  my  love  to  Mi’s.  Ball  and  Milly,  and  be  assured  of  the 
sincere  esteem  and  regard  with  which  I am 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  affect®  Serv'^ 

YTashingtox. 

[The  original  of  the  above  letter  belongs  to  Mr.  O.  L. 
Svpher  of  Xew  York.] 


APPENDIX. 


303 


D (p.  47). 

I am  indebted  to  the  ZST.  E.  Historic-Genealogical  Society 
for  the  following  extract  from  a letter  to  Gen.  Knox. 

Mount  Yernon,  28^^  Feb.  1785. 

‘^The  State  of  Virginia  accompanied  these  proceedings 
with  another  Act,  which  particularly  respected  myself,  and 
tho’  orenerous  in  the  extreme,  is  rendered  more  valuable  bv  the 
flattering  yet  delicate  expression  of  its  recitals.  It  directs 
their  Treasurer  to  subscribe  for  my  use  and  beneflt  one  hun- 
dred shares  (50  in  each  navigation),  which  it  declares  vested 
in  me  and  my  heirs  for  ever.  But  I can  truly  aver  to  you, 
my  dear  sir,  that  this  Act  has  given  me  more  pain  than 
pleasure.  It  never  was  my  inclination — nor  is  it  my  inten- 
tion— to  accept  anything  pecuniary  from  the  public ; but  how 
to  decline  this  gift  without  appearing  to  slight  the  favor 
(which  the  Assembly  ascribe  to  a sense  of  gratitude)  of  my 
country,  and  exhibiting  an  act  of  seeming  disrespect  to  the 
Legislature  on  the  one  hand,  or  incurring  the  imputation  of 
pride  or  an  ostentatious  display  of  disinterestedness  on  the 
other,  is  my  embarrassment.  But  I must  endeavor  to  hit 
upon  some  expedient  before  the  next  session  (for  I had  not 
the  smallest  intimation  of  the  matter  before  the  rising  of  the 
last)  to  avoid  any  of  these  charges,  and  yet  follow  the  bent  of 
my  wishes,  which  are  to  be  as  independent  as  the  air.  I have 
nobody  to  provide  for,  and  I have  enough  to  support  me 
through  life  in  the  plain  and  easy  style  in  which  I mean  to 
spend  the  remainder  of  my  days.” 

The  number  of  shares  presented,  Jan.  1885  (see  Hening’s 
Statutes,  vol.  xi.  p.  525)  is  inexactly  stated  above, — 100  being 
given  in  the  Potomac  Co.,  and  50  in  the  James  Biver  Co. 
(Value  8100  each  Potomac,  and  £100  each  James  River  share.) 


304 


APPENDIX. 


In  1795  the  50  Potomac  Shares  were  appropriated  for  the 
erection  of  a University  in  the  Federal  City.  The  100  James 
Fiver  Shares  were  given  to  Liberty  Hall  Academy,  Kock- 
bridge  Co.,  Ta., — an  endowment  now  enjoyed  by  'Washington 
and  Lee  University,  Lexington,  Y a.,  where  'W ashington's  letter 
of  presentation  is  framed.  The  donations  were  conhrmed  in 
perpetuity  by  'Washington's  WiU. 


APPENDIX. 


305 


E (p.  53). 


The  following  is  from  the  account-book  of  Robert  Lewis, 
for  which  I am  indebted  to  his  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  Lewis 
Washington,  a distinguished  Regent  of  Mount  Yemon. 


“ Robert  Lewis  in  acc^  with  the  President  of  the  U.  S. 
1791.  1792. 

Dec.  25.  To  amonnt  of  Rental  £.  s.  d.  | Apr.  14.  By  cash  paid  £.  s.  d. 

rendered  for  this  year,  314 .4.0  | Battaile  Mnse,  39. 3.  54 


By  D"  paid  John  Manzy  Surveyor  for  running 

(Robert  Scott)  the  line  between  yon  and  Scott 3.2.6 

By  Cash  paid  Maj"  G.  A.  Washington 125.0.0 

By  Do.  Do.  36.0.0 

By  Cash  paid  for  taxes  on  yonr  land 2.3.5 

By  Do.  paid  Mrs.  Haney  agreeable  to  order. . 10.0.0 
By  my  commission  on  the  whole  at  10  p'  cent.  31.8.0 
By  expences  in  collecting 1.10.0 


“1794.  £248.7.44” 

By  Cash  remitted  Howell  Lewis  for  rent 

\ditto  1795,1796) 17.9.0 

By  Cash  remitted  to  Tho'  Greenfield  who 
had  his  barn  burnt  in  1793,  which  I 

omitted  charging 10.0.0 

By  cash  paid  L.  Lewis  for  40  Bus.  wheat 

and  expences 28.0.0.” 

“ 1798. 

By  my  travelling  expenses  to  and  from  Fred- 
erick and  Berkley  collecting  and  attending 


law  suits  on  replevins 3.0.0 

By  cash  to  Col.  McGill,  Attorney  agt  Ken- 
nedy, who  proved  insolvent 1.4.0. 


1792  Rental  302.  1.6. 

1793  “ 315.15.0V 

1794  • “ 355.17.0. 

1796  “ 376.12.0. 

1797  “ 412.12.0.” 


Concerning  the  Mrs.  Haney  mentioned  in  the  account,  a 
pensioner  of  Washington,  see  Introduction. 

20 


306 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  has  been  sent  me  by  Dr.  William  T.  Dar- 
lington of  Pittsburgh. 

Mr.  Pobert  Lewis,  Spring  Hill,  Fauquier  Cty. 

Mount  Yernon  June  1798. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  23^^  ult°  has  been  received. — 

Mr.  Airass’®  draught  on  Mr.  Pussell  (of  Alexandria)  has 
been  presented  and  accepted  ; payable  in  ten  days. 

I am  glad  to  hear  of  your  good  luck  with  the  eloped  ten- 
ant in  Berkeley  county ; Pecovery  of  the  Tenement  is  of 
more  importance  than  the  security  of  the  Pest. — I am  not 
disposed  to  lease  it  for  more  than  seven  years,  and  if  you 
could  let  it  for  a shorter  time,  to  a good  tenant,  I should  pre- 
fer it ; — but  act  from  circumstances  and  your  best  judgment 
in  the  case. — If  there  is  any  defect  in  the  old  leases  they 
must  by  this  time,  have  become  obvious  to  you,  and  will  of 
course,  be  amended  ; I recollect  nothing  that  requires  altera- 
tion, if  the  Covenants  are  complied  with,  and  if  the  old  ones 
are  not  it  is  not  probable  new  ones  will. — 

I am  sorry  to  hear  the  unpromising  account  of  your 
Wheat.  Mine  is  bad  enough,  but  many  degrees  better  than 
the  description  of  that  in  your  parts  ; nor  do  I perceive  any 
fly,  as  yet,  amongst  it ; but  there  is  sufficient  time  between 
this  and  harvest  for  the  entire  destruction  of  it  by  that  In- 
sect. The  drought  could  not  have  been  more  severe  with 
you  than  it  was  here  until  the  23^*^  ulP, — since  which  we 
have  had  (for  my  lands)  a superabundance  of  Pain.  If  it 
had  continued  a few  days  longer  we  should  have  made  neither 
oats  nor  Hay — and  our  Pastures  would  have  starved  the  cat- 
tle that  had  escaped  the  Winter. — What  effect  it  might  have 
had  on  the  Wheat  I know  not,  but  I never  form  an  opinion 
of  Corn  until  the  month  of  August ; nor  dispair  of  making  a 
tolerable  crop  of  that  grain  unless  a drought  happens  when  it 
is  shooting  and  filling,  be  the  weather  what  it  may  before. — 


APPENDIX. 


307 


All  here  unite  in  best  regards  for  Mrs.  Lewis  and  yourself, 
and  I remain  your  Affect®  uncle  G.  Washington. 

(Endorsed.) 

Alex.  O.  Inne  Free. 

Mr.  Robert  Lewis  Spring  Hill  Fauquier  C^. 

Recom*^  to  the  care  of  ) 

Mr.  Ja®.  Lewis  Fredericksburgh.  S G.  Washington.” 

The  following  is  from  the  collection  of  Dr.  Thomas  Addis 
Emmet. 

Fredericksburg,  March  [Postmarked  7]  1801. 

Gentlemen, 

I am  fav*^  with  your  circular  letter  respecting  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington’s wish  to  surrender  into  the  hands  of  the  Executors  of 
the  late  Gen^  Washington,  all  that  part  of  her  life  Estate  at 
present  taxable, — which  derives  her  no  profit,  and  yet  is  in 
her  possession. — I cannot  but  agree  with  you  in  opinion  that 
such  property  as  would  be  inconvenient  to  divide  should  be 
sold. — The  Kenhawa  Lands  ought  to  be  an  exception — These 
are  extensive — nearly  equal  in  quality  taken  agregately,  and 
might  with  very  little  trouble  or  difficulty  be  divided — At  all 
events  it  is  my  wish,  and  would  be  carrying  into  effect  the 
desires  of  the  Testator. — To  elucidate,  however,  my  ideas 
more  clearly,  I will  only  add,  shou’d  any  obstacle  arise  in  the 
division  of  the  above  property  (which  I do  not  anticipate  at 
present)  I wou’d  have  you  to  understand  that  no  impediment 
is  to  be  expected  from  me  in  your  proceedings,  as  I am  clearly 
determined  to  go  with  the  majority  of  Legatees,  and  will  aid 
and  assist  the  Executors  in  the  execution  of  their  duty  all 
that  lies  in  my  power. — I am.  Gentlemen,  Respectfully, 

Your  mo.  Ob^  SeP 

Rob'^  Lewis. 

Endorsed. 

The  Executors  to  the  Estate  of  the  late  Geffi  Washington 
now  at  Mount  Yernon. 


308 


APPENDIX. 


F (Pp.  75,  160,  248). 

The  beginnings  of  W ashington  City  brought  into  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  a large  number  of  folk  who  seemed  to  re- 
gard it  as  the  abode  of  freedom  to  an  extent  which  the  chief 
landowner  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  river  had  vainly  con- 
tested. The  following,  to  Bushrod  Washington,  is  owned  by 
Mr.  O.  L.  Sypher  of  Isew  York. 


Philadelphia,  Jan^  8^  1792. 

Dear  Bushrod,' 

I have  long  suspected — but  such  has  been  my  situation  for 
some  years  back  that  I have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  the 
fact — that  a tract  of  about  1200  acres  w-  I hold  on  four-mile- 
run  near  Alexandria  has  had  the  wood  thereon  dealt  pretty 
freely  with  by  unauthorized  persons  in  its  vicinity.  The  en- 
closed from  Mr.  Whiting  gives  information  of  a particular 
Act.  He  is  directed  in  a letter  of  this  date  to  wait  upon 
CoP  Little ; and  with  such  proofs  of  the  trespass  as  he  can 
obtain  to  call  upon  you  therewith.  If  they  shall  appear  to 
you  indubitable,  I am  resolved — as  an  example — to  punish 
the  agressors  ; and  pray  you  to  issue  a process  against  them, 
and  prosecute  the  same  in  the  name  of  George  Aug®  Wash- 
ington as  my  Attorney,  who  I think  has  been  announced  as 
such  in  the  Gazettes  of  Alexandria  and  Bichmond ; and,  I 
presume,  has  a power  from  me  to  that  effect. 

Lest  any  misconception  of  Whiting’s  should  lead  me  or  you 
into  an  error,  I beg  you  will,  when  an  opportunity  shall  pre- 
sent itself,  enquire  of  CoP  Little  whether  the  Hoop  poles 
were,  incontestibly,  taken  from  my  land ; who  the  persons 
are  that  did  it — and  whether  there  can  be  any  demur  to  the 
propriety  (legality  I mean)  of  bringing  the  suit  in  the  name 


APPENDIX 


309 


of  G.  A.  Washington  as  my  Attorney — not  being  willing  to 
have  my  own  name  called  in  Court  on  this  occasion. 

Your  aunt  joins  me  in  best  wishes,  and  the  compliments  of 
the  season  to  you  and  Xancy, — and  I am  your  sincere  friend 
and 

affectionate  uncle 

G°  Washes  GTOx.” 

Col.  Charles  Little  was  a fidend  of  Washington  and  one  of 
his  pallbearers. 


310 


APPEXDK. 


G (Pp.  76  imd  192). 


"W ashington  was  so  reserved  in  religious  matters  that  every 
word  of  that  kind  may  be  regarded  as  well  weighed.  The 
subjoined  letters  may  here  be  placed  on  record.  The  first 
letter  is  in  possession  of  the  Pev.  Dr.  J.  G.  Van  Slyke,  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Deformed  Church  of  Kingston,  K.  Y.,  to  the 
consistory  of  which  it  was  written  in  reply  to  a congratula- 
tion on  the  close  of  the  war. 

Gentlemen, 

I am  happy  in  receiving  this  public  mark  of  the  esteem  of 
the  Minister  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Deformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  in  Kingston. 

Convinced  that  our  religious  liberties  were  as  essential  as 
our  civil,  my  endeavors  have  never  been  wanting  to  encourage 
and  promote  the  one  while  I have  been  contending  for  the 
other — and  I am  highly  fiattered  by  finding  that  my  efforts 
have  met  the  approbation  of  so  respectable  a body. 

In  return  for  your  kind  concern  for  my  temporal  and  eter- 
nal happiness,  permit  me  to  assure  you  that  my  wishes  are 
reciprocal — and  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  hand  down  your 
Deligion  pure  and  undefiled  to  a Posterity  worthy  of  their 
ancestors  is  the  fervent  prayer  of 


A letter  to  Gen.  Knox  (for  which  I am  indebted  to  the 
Xew  England  Historic-Genealogical  Society)  concludes  as 
follows : 


Gent“. 


most  obed^  serv’ 


G°  Washington. 


APPENDIX- 


311 


“Mrs.  'Washington  joins  me  in  offering  compliments  of 
congratulation  to  Mrs.  Knox  and  yourself  on  the  increase  of 
your  family  by  the  birth  of  a son  ; and  I pray  you  to  accept 
the  acknowledgment  of  my  sense  of  the  honor  you  have  con- 
ferred on  me  by  giving  him  my  name.  I hope  he  will  live 
to  enjoy  it  long  after  I have  taken  my  departure  for  the  world 
of  Spirits,  and  that  he  may  prove  a blessing  and  comfort  to 
you  both  in  your  declining  years.” 

This  was  written  Jan.  10,  1788.  The  boy  died  in  1797. 
In  a note  of  sympathy  on  the  death  of  another  of  his  chil- 
dren Washington  wrote  to  the  same  friend  (8  Sept.  1791): 
“ He  that  gave,  you  know,  has  a right  to  take  away.  His 
ways  are  wise — they  are  inscrutable — and  irresistible.” 

The  next  letter  is  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  Buckminster. 


Xew  York,  December  23,  1789. 

See, 

Your  letter  of  the  27^^  of  Xovember  and  the  discourse 
which  it  enclosed  have  been  duly  read.  I consider  the  ser- 
mon on  the  death  of  Sir  William  Pepperell  which  yon  were 
so  good  as  to  send  me  by  the  desire  of  Lady  Pepperell  his 
Relict  as  a mark  of  attention  from  her  which  requii’ed  my 
particular  acknowledgments ; and  I am  sorry  that  the  death 
of  that  lady,  which  I see  is  announced  in  the  public  papers, 
prevents  my  thanks  being  returned  to  her  for  her  respect  and 
good  wishes.  You,  sir,  will  please  accept  them  for  yourself 
in  forwarding  the  discourse,  and  my  request  that  they  may 
be  added  to  the^Rev^  Clark  with  my  approbation  of  the 
doctrine  therein  inculcated. 

I am.  Sir, 

G°  Washington. 

This  letter  to  Dr.  Buckminster  is  especially  notable,  be- 
cause, though  the  larger  part  was  dictated,  Washington  has 


312 


APPENDIX. 


added  iu  his  own  hand  his  approbation  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
discourse.  It  is  doubtful  if  in  all  his  wn-itings  similar  ap- 
proval of  any  statement  of  doctrine  can  be  found.  The  title 
of  the  able  discourse  alluded  to  is  “ A Sermon  occasioned  by 
the  Death  of  the  Honourable  Sir  William  Pepperell,  Bart., 
Lieut.  Gen.  in  His  Majesty’s  Service,  etc.,  who  died  at  his 
Seat  in  Kittery,  July  6,  1759;  Preached  the  next  Lord’s  Day 
after  his  Funeral  by  Benjamin  Stevens,  A.M.,  Pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  Kittery.  Boston,  etc.,  1759.”  The  text 
selected  for  this  most  eminent  personage  of  Maine — the  only 
native  of  America  ever  baroneted,  though  two  were  knighted 
(Fitch  and  Pandolph) — was  from  the  82nd  Psalm,  ‘‘  But  ye 
shall  die  like  men.”  Peferring  to  the  previous  part  of  the 
verse  (7),  I have  said  ye  are  Gods,”  the  preacher  said  that 
rulers  might  in  a sense  be  properly  so  styled,  because  govern- 
ments being  appointed  of  God,  magistrates  were  His  repre- 
sentatives. He  defined  God  as  a moral  governor,  engaged  in 
a great  plan  of  wisdom  and  benevolence.  “ As  this  world  is 
not  a state  of  Retribution,  it  is  requisite  that  these  earthly 
Gods  should  be  removed  by  Death  as  well  as  other  Men,  in 
order  to  compleat  the  Plan  of  the  Divine  Government.  In- 
deed the  great  ends  of  the  moral  administration  of  God  seem 
to  require  this,  to  suppress  the  progress  of  vice  and  promote 
virtue  and  goodness  in  the  present  state,  but  especially  for 
the  final  adjustment  of  all  things  with  equity.”  This,  prob- 
ably, is  the  doctrine  of  which  Washington  intimates  his  ap- 
proval. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  references  in  the  letters  to  Pearce,  to 
Alexandria  clergymen,  that  Washington  kept  on  strict  busi- 
ness relations  with  them.  This  is  further  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing letter  concerning  a clergyman  whom  he  held  in  much 
esteem, — the  Rev.  David  Griffith  (1711-1789),  the  first 
Bishop  elect  of  the  Virginia  Convention  (1786),  but  not 
ordained  because  the  expenses  of  a journey  to  England  could 
not  be  raised.  This  letter,  at  once  kind  and  cautious,  has 


APPENDIX. 


olo 

been  loaned  me  by  Llewellyn  Hoxton  Esq.  (of  the  Episcopal 
High  School,  Alexandria),  a grandson  of  Mr.  Griffith.  It  is 
addressed  to  the  Hon.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrolton. 


Mount  Yernon  Apr^  5^^  1786. 

SlE, 

The  Kev'^  Mr.  Griffith,  who  will  present  this  letter  to  you, 
is  possessed  of  much  property  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria,  the 
value  of  which  he  is  desirous  of  increasing,  by  buildings. — 
To  enable  him  to  do  this,  he  wishes  to  borrow,  on  interest 
about  Two  thousand  five  hundred  pounds. — As  security  for 
such  a loan,  he  is  willing  to  mortgage  his  interest  in  the  above 
place,  and  proposes  as  a further  security,  to  offer  other  means. 
— The  nature  of  all,  he  will  explain  to  you.  They  are,  in  my 
opinion,  amply  sufficient ; such  as  I should  not  hesitate  to 
take  if  I had  the  money  to  lend ; but  you  will  be  able  to  judge 
more  fully  of  the  matter  when  they  are  laid  before  you. 
From  a long  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Griffith,  I 
have  a high  opinion  of  his  worth,  and  entire  dependence  on 
his  representations,  which  (as  he  may,  in  some  degree,  be  a 
stranger  to  you)  I have  thought  it  a piece  of  Justice  to  men- 
tion— 

I have  the  honor  to  be — Sir, 

Most  Obed^  H^^  Ser 

G®  Washington. 


314 


APPENDIX. 


H (pp.  89  and  134). 

Lund  Washington  (1737-1796),  several  times  referred  to 
in  the  letters  to  Pearce,  managed  Mount  Yernon  for  25  years, 
retiring  in  1785.  His  degree  of  relationship  to  the  General, 
probably  unknown  to  either  of  them,  may  be  traced  in  the 
Introduction.  He  married  Elizabeth  Foote  (1782).  He  is 
chiefly  known  by  Washington’s  rebuke  (in  the  famous  letter 
of  1781)  of  his  over-loyalty  to  the  owner  of  Mount  Yernon, 
which,  after  his  own  severe  losses,  led  him  to  conciliate  the 
British  officers  with  refreshments  from  Mount  Yernon  ; but 
the  subjoined  letters,  and  others,  show  that  Washington  was 
always  grateful  to  Lund  Washington,  but  for  whom  his 
property  might  have  gone  to  ruin.  After  the  revolution 
Lund  remained  with  the  General,  who  parted  from  him  with 
reluctance.  “Mr.  Lund  Washington,”  he  writes  to  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Gordon  (20  April  1786),  “ having  expressed  a wish  to 
quit  business  and  live  in  retirement  and  ease,  I could  not  op- 
pose his  inclination,  and  his  having  carried  these  desires  into 
effect,  that  kind  of  business  which  he  usually  transacted  for 
me  is  now  thrown  on  my  shoulders,  in  addition  to  what  they 
bore  before,  and  has  left  me  less  time  than  ever  for  my  numer- 
ous correspondences  and  other  avocations.”  Lund  resided  in 
the  neighborhood,  until  his  death,  however,  his  residence  be- 
ing known  as  “ Hayfield,” — 1200  acres. 

The  original  of  the  following  letter  is  in  possession  of  Mr. 
Grenville  Kane,  of  Hew  York. 


Head  Middlebrook,  Dec.  the  18“^  1778. 

Dear  Lund, 

Your  letter  of  the  9^*^  Insfl  came  to  my  hands  this  day  after 
I had  dispatched  a long  letter  to  you  by  CoP  Harrison — The 
quantity  of  land  mentioned  therein,  as  appears  by  my  plats. 


APPENDIX. 


316 


is  I dare  say,  the  exact  number  of  acres  held  by  M. ; for  more 
than  which  he  ought  not  to  expect  payment — The  three  small 
quantities  which  serve  to  compose  the  aggregate  480^  are  (I 
presume)  those  which  lye  on  Muddy  hole — the  ITorth-side  of 
the  Main  Koad  joining  Wade’s  and  my  line — and  on  the 
South  adjoining  Manley  and  me — This  as  it  is  by  actual 
and  careful  measurement  and  intended  for  my  own  satisfac- 
tion and  government,  does  I am  persuaded,  contain  to  the 
utmost  inch  all  that  he  holds ; and  chearfully  acquiesce  in  it 
as  just — But  at  all  events  fix  the  matter  with  him  by  a re- 
survey or  any  other  way  to  close  the  bargain  ; letting  him 
know  however,  that  if  it  is  resurveyed  and  the  Surveyor 
makes  it  less  than  480|^  I shall  pay  for  no  more  than  is  found 
by  the  last  survey  (if  it  should  even  fall  short  of  400  a[c]res) 
and  unless  you  have  conditioned  to  the  contrary,  I shall  ex- 
pect, as  the  survey  will  be  made  to  gratifie  him,  that  it  will 
be  done  at  his  expense  and  by  the  Surveyor  of  the  County — 
or  at  least  a sworn  Surveyor. — you  will  see  that  the  chain  is 
full  33  feet  in  length. 

With  respect  to  the  small  slipes  which  he  engaged  to  let  me 
have,  the  matter  taken  up  in  a strict  sense,  may  be  determined 
in  a moment,  by  only  solving  a single  question — to  wit — did 
he,  or  did  he  not  agree  to  take  40/.  an  acre  for  the  Land  in 
the  event  of  not  getting  Alexander’s  ? — If  he  did  not  do  this, 
the  matter  is  at  an  end,  because  there  is  not  in  that  case  room 
for  even  the  shadow  of  argument — If  he  did,  where  is  the 
hardship  of  it  ? — or  in  other  words,  why  is  it  a greater  hard- 
ship to  receive  money  (short  of  one’s  wishes)  for  lands  sold, 
than  for  any  other^  thing. — The  money  which  General 
Weedon  was  to  pay  you  is  due  for  Lands  I sold  Doct’^  Mercer 
and  for  the  very  purpose  of  enabling  me  to  pay  for  this  and 
other  Lands  in  that  Heck  as  opportunities  might  present ; 
what  difference  then  is  there  in  the  cases  more  than  in  the 
Sum  ? — and  a case  still  more  in  point  is,  that  the  very  money 
advanced  Alexander  was  in  fact  for  the  payment  of  this  land 


316 


APPENDIX. 


of  M’s. — It  is  not  harder  then  upon  him  to  suffer  a part  than 
for  me  the  whole — Such  local  disadvantages  as  these  are  to 
be  placed  to  the  misfortunes  of  the  times — some  men  indeed 
are  benefitted  by  them  while  others  are  ruined — I do  not  it  is 
true  come  in  under  the  latter  class  (so  far  as  it  extends  to 
ruin)  but  I believe  you  know,  that  by  the  comparative  worth 
of  money,  six  or  seven  thousand  pounds  which  I had  in  Bonds 
upon  Interest  is  now  reduced  to  as  many  hundreds  because  I 
can  get  no  more  for  a thousand  at  this  day  than  a hundred 
would  have  fetched  when  I left  Virginia — Bonds,  Debts, 
Bents  (in  Cash)  and  annuities  undergoing  no  change  while 
the  currency  is  depreciating  every  day  in  value  and  for  ought 
I know  may  in  a little  time  be  totally  sunk. 

I do  not  labour  this  point  because  I expect  much  from  it, 
but  simply  to  shew  Mr.  M.  the  light  in  w®^  he  should  consider 
the  matter  if  he  has  a mind  to  act  upon  such  principles  as 
ought  to  actuate  every  honest  man — and  to  shew  him  more- 
over the  falacy  and  error  of  his  arguments  when  he  endeav- 
ours to  prove  that  I have  derived  benefits  from  his  Land 
which  he  has  not  experienced  from  Alexanders — The  falacy 
of  them — because  if  I have  taken  the  timber  of  [f],  it  is  not 
there,  consequently  the  land  now  is  of  so  much  less  value — 
The  error  of  them — inasmuch  as  I am  exceedingly  mistaken 
if  he  has  not  inclosed  and  worked  part  of  Alexanders  Land — 
which  (now  I am  upon  the  subject)  is  a matter  that  you  ought 
to  enquire  into,  as  I have  some  recollection  of  Alexanders 
telling  me,  that  he  had  not  only  put  M.  in  possession  of  the 
whole,  or  such  part  of  the  land  as  he  wanted,  but  that  the 
Bents  which  usually  came  to  him  ceased ; intimating,  that  the 
bargain  between  him,  me,  and  M.  was  so  far  compleated  as 
that  he  no  longer  received  the  Bents  or  act.  of  them  nor  was 
I to  expect  Interest  for  the  money  lent  him — If  therefore  I 
am  to  pay  M.  for  his  whole  land  at  the  price  now  agreed  at 
by  the  acre,  and  to  receive  no  Interest  from  Alexander  I shall 
be  very  prettily  handled  between  the  two. 


APPENDIX. 


317 


This  circumstance  is  mentioned  for  your  government ; at 
the  same  time  I leave  you  at  full  liberty  to  close  the  bargain 
with  M.  on  any  terms  if  you  should  even  be  obliged  to  allow 
as  much  for  the  slipes  as  other  parts  of  his  land  and  even  to 
come  up  to  500  acres  for  the  quantity  as  I neither  wish  to  dis- 
appoint you,  or  be  disappointed  myself  in  our  present  views 
— You  will  do  the  best  you  can  to  have  justice  done  me — 
their  impositions  afterw^®  I must  submit  to  as  a tax  to  dis- 
honorable men. 

Among  these  plats  which  contained  the  quantity  of  M’s 
land  you  will  also  find  one  which  shews  the  contents  of  those 
tracts  I bought  of  the  two  Ashfords  and  Simon  Pearson, 
which  with  so  much  of  the  waste  land  (taken  up  by  me)  as 
lyes  above  the  tumbling  dam  shews  (after  taking  of  [f]  what 
Mr.  Triplet  is  to  get)  the  amount  of  what  you  are  to  have  of 
me,  and  how  far  it  will  fall  short  of  the  purchase  from  M., 
thereby  enabling  you  to  make  a proper  settlement — If  you 
find  more  than  one  plat  of  these  Lands  (as  I think  there  is) 
the  last  is  the  truest  and  most  correct. 

It  is  not  reasonable  that  Mr.  Triplet  should  remain  longer 
out  of  the  land  which  he  is  to  get  in  exchange  for  his  by  my 
Mill  Pace  as  there  is  no  prospect  of  my  seeing  home  this 
Winter ; and  yet  I really  am  at  a loss  to  find  out  how  it  can 
be  done  without  my  being  present,  as  no  person  knows  the 
true  and  complex  state  of  that  matter  as  well  as  I do — I7ever- 
theless  if  he  desires  it,  I will  give  you  the  best  direction  I can 
in  order  that  possession  may  be  given  him  this  winter. — The 
way  that  I always  expected  and  wished  to  have  it  done  was, 
to  extend  a line  from  the  bridge,  at  the  head  of  the  race  by 
the  tumbling  dam  to  the  little  branch  between  that  and 
Morris’s  field  at  the  road  leading  thither — thence  by  a direct 
line  to  the  County  road,  as  (if  my  memory  serves  me)  my 
fence  runs ; This,  if  the  fence  is  removed  in,  as  I think  it 
was  six  or  seven  years  ago,  wiU  give  as  many  acres  as  I shall 
receive  between  the  race  and  the  line  of  my  new  Patent. — 


318 


APPENDIX. 


but  if  it  should  not,  then  to  pay  for  the  difference  at  what- 
ever the  land  would  sell  for  at  the  time  of  ascertaining  the 
several  quantity  we  give  and  take — even  if  it  should  be  £50 
acre. — If  Mr.  Triplet  will  agree  to  this,  the  matter,  so  far 
as  respects  the  land,  and  the  use  of  it  to  both  of  us  may  be 
settled  at  any  time  ; and  a sum  may  also  be  deposited  in  his 
hands  to  be  adjusted  hereafter  ; which  will  prevent  his  suffer- 
ing any  delay  or  injustice  on  acc^  of  the  money  he  is  to  re- 
ceive— Or  if  this  will  not  do,  from  his  apprehension  that  he 
shall  give  more  land  than  he  will  get  (in  which  I think  he  will 
be  mistaken,  if  I am  not  wrong  in  my  ideas  respecting  the 
removal  of  my  fence  which  was  done  to  this  very  view)  I 
would  in  order  to  satisfie  him,  and  bring  the  matter  as  far  as 
possible  to  a close  and  without  further  delay  let  the  line  from 
the  branch  at  the  Koad  as  before  mentioned  bear  a little 
more  to  the  right  to  include  a little  more  land — a measure  of 
this  kind  must  remove  every  difficulty  and  will  certainly  give 
content — The  legal  fees  of  the  County  surveyor  in  ascertain- 
ing this  work  would  amount  to  the  value  of  botli  pieces  of 
land ; for  not  knowing,  or  not  depending  the  circumstances, 
or  with  a view  perhaps  to  increase  his  fees,  he  would  survey 
Harrisons  patent  (on  which  Mr.  Triplet  lives) — Pearsons  (the 
Patentee  of  which  I do  not  recollect) — my  Land,  lately  taken 
up  as  waste — and  part  perhaps  of  that  I bought  of  George 
Ashford — all  of  which  may  be  avoided  by  the  mode  I speak 
of  ; and  the  disadvantage  resulting  from  the  want  of  a final 
settlement  thrown  upon  me,  by  giving  him  more  land,  and 
more  money,  than  he  will  be  entitled  to  upon  a fair  and  im- 
partial measurement  of  the  exchanged  tracts — If  you  and  Mr. 
Triplet  should  agree  without  anything  further  from  me,  have 
a stone,  or  a locust  Post  fixed  at  the  Poad  for  the  corner. 

With  respect  to  your  bargain  with  Lanphire  I can  say 
nothing — I wish  every  contract  that  I make,  or  that  is  made 
for  me  should  be  fulfilled  according  to  the  strict  and  equi- 
table sense  of  it — and  this  in  the  present  case  you  must  be  a 


APPENDIX. 


319 


better  judge  of  than  I am — if  at  the  time  of  engaging  him 
the  extra  allowance  of  Corn  etc  more  was  expected  and  prom- 
ised than  has  been  performed  you  are  certainly  under  no  ob- 
ligation to  comply  with  your  part  till  he  has  fulfilled  his — if 
on  the  other  hand  he  has  fulfilled  his  you  are  bound  to  com- 
ply altho  it  may  prove  hard — But  from  your  statement  of  the 
case,  the  true  and  equitable  construction  of  the  bargain  seems 
to  me  to  be  that  he  ought  to  have  the  corn  and  wool,  but 
should  be  obliged  to  continue  his  and  servants  labor  at  their 
present  wages  till  the  covered  way  and  such  work  as  was 
particularised  or  had  in  contemplation  at  y®  time  is  finished. — 
Without  this  his  wages  will  be  monstrous,  the  end  not 
answered — and  what  neither  of  you  at  the  time  could  possibly 
have  in  view — I therefore  think  that  this  is  the  proper  foot- 
ing to  place  it  on,  and  tho  slow  he  had  better  be  kept  on 
those  terms  till  you  can  at  least  bring  his  wages  within  the 
bounds  of  moderation  by  time  if  he  should  not  quite  compleat 
the  work  expected  of  him. — The  Corn  (which  I am  told 
Master  Finnie  is  now  giving  six  pounds  p.  BaF  for)  should 
be  delivered  to  him  by  little  at  a time  for  if  he  gets  the 
whole  at  once  you  may,  I suppose,  catch  him  as  you  can. 

I come  now  to  mention  a matter  which  more  particularly 
respects  yourself — The  depreciation  of  money  and  the  sudden 
rise  in  the  price  of  produce  in  the  course  of  this  year  and 
other  things  principally  to  this  cause  owing  render  your  pres- 
ent wages  especially  under  short  crops  totally  inadequate  to 
your  trouble  and  services — I am  therefore  willing  that  you 
sh^  receive  a certain  part  of  the  last  crop,  to  be  disposed  of 
by  you  for  your  own  benefit — and  so  in  future — this  will  give 
you  the  reward  of  industry  without  subjecting  you  to  the 
peculiar  hardship  resulting  from  depreciation  as  it  is  presum- 
able that  the  price  of  produce  will  rise  in  proportion  to  the 
fall  of  the  other — I do  not  at  this  time  ascertain  what  the  part 
shall  be,  because  I wish  you  to  say  what  you  think  is  just  and 
right — that  it  is  my  full  wish  to  give,  and  more  I do  not 


320 


APPENDIX. 


think  you  would  ask,  therefore  we  cannot  disagree. — Being 
little  acquainted  with  the  produce  of  my  estate,  amount  of 
Crop  etc  is  the  reason  of  my  wishing  to  leave  the  matter  to 
yourself  as  it  is  my  first  wish  that  you  should  be  satisfied. 

Mr.  Archer  has  got  the  letter  you  inclosed — and  I have 
only  to  add  that  I am  sincerely  and  affectionately, 

G°.  Washington. 


For  the  two  following  letters  I am  indebted  to  Mr.  H.  E. 
Treadwell,  of  New  York : 

West-point  Sep”"  14^  1779. 

Dear  Lend,. 

Your  letter  of  the  25^^  ult°  which  ought  to  have  come  by 
the  last  Post,  and  the  one  of  the  inst^,  both  came  to  my 
hands  yesterday. 

Two  reasons  induced  me  to  except  the  M s when  I de- 

sired you  to  decline  receiving  payment  of  any  more  old 
Bonds — the  one  was  a presumption  that  theirs  actually  were 
paid — the  other  that  you  might  be  under  obligation  or  prom- 
ise to  receive  them,  and  I never  choose  to  be  worse  than  my 
word — What  has  passed  between  you  and  Mr.  M.  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  how  far  it  is  obligatory  on  me  you  are  the  best 
judge — What  were  the  precise  words  of  my  answer  to  your 
qu£ere,  concerning  Mr.  M’s  proposition,  I cannot  at  this  time 
say — the  idea  that  filled  my  mind  at  the  time  I perfectly  well 
recollect — and  it  was  this — If  Mr.  M.  possessed  so  little  honor 
— I may  say  honesty — as  to  attempt  paying  me  two  shillings 
in  the  pound  for  a debt  he  was  greatly  indulged  in  ( — the  de- 
preciation at  the  time  he  made  the  offer  not  exceeding  this) — 
I must  be  content ; for  knowing  nothing  of  your  Laws,  and 
being  unwilling  that  any  act  of  mine  should  injure  the  curren- 
cy, I chose  to  make  no  difficulties  in  the  case  if  the  loss  of  the 
whole  debt  should  be  the  consequence  of  it. — but  why  he 
should  withhold  payment  from  that  time  to  this  when  less 


APPENDIX. 


321 


than  a shilling  in  the  pound  will  pay  it,  he  can  acc^  better 
than  I. — Might  he  not  with  the  same  parity  of  reason — if  the 
depreciation  is  still  going  on — wait  six  months  longer  and  pay 
me  with  sixpence  or  even  a penny  in  the  pound  ? — Surely 
yes ; and  the  palpable  and  obvious  injustice  of  it  needs  no 
comment,  though  I will  give  an  instance  in  proof. — About  the 
time  he  offered  you  this  money  Marshall’s  Land  was  bought 
for  £12  p^  acre,  and  I presume  Barry’s  might  then  have  been 
had  for  the  same. — If  Marshall  was  in  possession  of  his  Land 
again  could  I get  it  for  that  money  ? — Is  BaiTy’s  to  be  had  for 
it  ? — This  proves  at  once  the  difference  between  paying  the 
money  at  the  time  he  offered  it  and  now. — You  say  he  may 
think  it  hard  to  receive  money  in  one  way  and  pay  it  in  an- 
other,— in  other  words  to  receive  at  the  nominal,  and  pay 
at  the  real  value.  This  may  or  may  not  be  so  according  to 
the  time  these  debts  were  contracted,  and  the  circumstances 
attending  them,  for  if  they  are  of  recent  date  both  parties 
knew  what  they  were  about,  so  far  at  least  as  to  make  it  a 
mere  matter  of  judgment  between  themselves;  each  having 
equal  knowledge  of  the  depreciation  at  the  time  of  the  con- 
tract, and  forming  their  own  judgment  of  the  consequences 
of  it. — If  the  sales  which  you  speak  of  his  having  made  of 
his  Father’s  Estate  for  the  purpose  of  paying  this  debt  of 
mine  and  others,  are  of  old  standing,  how  comes  he  to  be 
without  the  money  at  this  day  ? — He  cannot  have  had  it  by 
him,  because  he  would  have  paid  it  to  me  at  the  time  prof- 
ered,  and  stopped  interest,  if  this  had  been  the  case — and  if 
it  is  not,  why  did  he  not  receive  the  money  in  time,  and  why 
will  he  receive  nothipg  (I  may  say)  for  something  now  ? — Be- 
sides, I make  some  distinction  between  a bond  given  for  pay- 
ment of  a sum  of  money  at  a future  period,  and  money  lent 
to  be  returned  upon  demand — the  first  is  subject  to  the  con- 
tingencies which  may  happen  between  the  periods  of  contract- 
ing and  paying — the  other  being  on  demand  puts  it  in  the 
power  of  the  lender  to  call  in  his  money  upon  any  unfavour- 


322 


APPENDIX. 


able  appearances,  or  have  it  secured  to  him  in  any  manner  he 
likes;  and  Mr.  M.  cannot  but  be  sensible  that  letting  his 
Father’s  bond  lay,  and  at  length  taking  his  own  bond  for  pay- 
ment of  a certain  sum  instead  of  pressing  payment  of  the 
whole,  was  a mere  matter  of  favor  and  indulgence  ; how  well 
requited  I shall  be  for  these,  his  own  feelings  must  determine 
if  I am  to  receive  a shilling  or  8^  pence  in  the  pound. — But 
in  all  matters  of  this  kind  as  I mentioned  to  you  in  a former 
letter,  I had  much  rather  you  would  advise  with,  and  pursue 
the  advice  of,  some  sensible  Whigs  who  are  known  to  be  men 
of  discernment,  and  of  honor  and  probity  (that  are  acquainted 
with  the  laws  and  practises  of  the  State  in  like  cases)  than  to 
consult,  and  refer  things  to  me,  who  am  totally  unacquainted 
with  both — {Remainder  of  letter  lost.'] 

Kewburgh,  25^^  Dec^  1782. 

Dear  Lund, 

I approve  of  your  conduct  with  respect  to  Dow’s  Land  and 
am  very  glad  you  have  bought  it  whether  I get  Dulany’s  or  not, 
as  I have  no  idea  of  loosing  by  it  if  it  will  Bent  for  £120  p’’ 
aim. — which  is  more  than  the  Virginia  Interest  of  the  sum 
given  though  less  than  what  I am  to  pay  for  the  loan  of  it  in 
this  State. — This  circumstance,  independent  of  the  desire  I 
have  to  repay  the  money  borrowed  in  this  State  makes  it  in- 
dispensably necessary  to  collect  my  Bents — my  debts — and  to 
use  every  means  possible  to  raise  money  to  answer  this  pur- 
pose. I have  already  mentioned  A ’s  debt — he  has  not 

the  slightest  pretensions  to  further  indulgence,  and  there  may 
be  other  debts  (which  do  not  strike  me  at  this  moment)  the 
payment  of  which  may  be  demanded  with  equal  propriety. — 
to  enable  me  to  judge  of  this,  I shall  be  obliged  to  you  to 
send  me  a list  of  my  Bonds — (I  suppose  Mr.  Custis  took  all 
his  after  the  settlement  made  by  Col.  Mason) — the  sums  for 
which  they  are  given — and  what  Interest  is  due  on  them. — I 
used,  if  I recollect  right  to  keep  a list  of  the  Ballances  when 


APPENDIX. 


323 


I settled  iny  acc*"^ — if  this  is  to  be  found  in  my  Ledger,  and  no 
alterations  have  taken  place  since,  I wish  to  have  a copy  of 
this  also. 

As  it  does  not  appear  that  you  had  any  notice  from  Mr. 
[Edmund]  Eandolph  (the  Attorney  General)  to  whom  1 had 
committed  the  management  of  the  business  relative  to  the 
affairs  of  CoP  Mercer  and  his  mortgagees — nor  no  authentic 
information  or  proof  of  Mr.  Jn°  Mercer’s  having  complied 
with  the  requisition  of  the  Court  respecting  the  security,  I 
think  you  acted  with  proper  caution  in  withholding  the  Bonds 
— but  as  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  decree — and  as  I wish 
very  much  to  get  quit  of  the  business,  it  is  my  earnest  desire 
that  the  Bonds  and  other  securities  and  money  (if  any  there 
be)  in  your  hands  may  be  given  up  when  he  has  done  this, 
and  upon  the  passing  of  a proper  receipt  for  them. — An  acc^ 
should  also  be  rendered  of  the  money  that  has  been  received 
and  how  applied,  that  the  produce  of  the  Sales  agreeably  to 
my  report  thereof  to  the  Court  may  be  accounted  for. — This 
is  all  the  decree  requires  of  me,  nor  should  I be  willing  to 
give  up  (more  than  copies  of)  the  Sales  and  other  Original 
Papers ; depriving  myself  thereby,  if  it  should  thereafter  be 
found  necessary,  of  the  only  means  by  which  a proper  account 
of  my  transaction  of  this  business  could  be  rendered. — The 
Attorney  General  has  been  furnished  with  copies  of  the 
Power  of  attorney  under  which  I acted. — Acc^’^  of  sales  in 
Berkeley — also  of  those  in  Loudoun — with  a memorandum 
respecting  the  Latter  and  the  purchasers,  from  whom  Mr. 
Mercer  conveniently  can — if  it  is  necessary — obtain  Copies  at 
any  time. — The  only  money  that  has  ever  passed  through  my 
hands  was  the  Bills  of  Loan  Office  certificates — amounting  to 
1392  Dollars  which  were  sold  in  PhiP  by  ClP  Petitt  Esq.  at 
my  request  and  the  money  placed  in  the  Virginia  Funds 
agreeably  to  the  request  of  James  Mercer  Esq*^. — I say  this 
from  the  information  of  Mr.  Petitt,  who  wrote  me  to  this 
effect — the  Bills  sold  at  35  for  1. — That  you  may  be  certain 


324 


APPENDIX 


of  pursuing  a proper  and  cautious  conduct  on  this  occasion  I 
have  requested  the  Attorney  General  as  you  will  see  by  the 
Inclosed  letter  to  him — left  open  for  your  perusal — and  to  he 
sealed  and  forwarded  immediately  by  Post  to  give  you  his  Sen- 
timents.— There  should  be  a particular  enumeration  of  the 
Bonds  and  other  Papers  which  are  surrendered — a lumping 
receipt  may  be  liable  to  exceptions  from  the  generality  of  it, 
in  case  of  disputes  hereafter. 

If  you  purchase  the  Young  horse  belonging  to  the  Estate 
of  Mr.  Custis,  I should  be  glad  to  get  him ; and  shall  think  it 
rather  hard  if  so  small  a part  of  my  Debt  cannot  be  received 
by  '^’ay  of  discount,  when  I am  willing  to  forbeare  and  have 
not  the  smallest  intention  of  putting  the  Estate  to  the  least 
inconvenience  to  pay  what  it  owes  me.  On  this  subject  I 
wrote  Mr.  Dandridge  a Post  or  two  ago,  but  if  the  Sale  did 
really  take  place  on  the  20th,  agreeably  to  the  advertisement, 
I do  not  suppose  the  Letter  reached  him  previous  to  it. — I 
should  have  been  well  pleased  to  have  got  both  the  Horses  ; 
but  readily  relinquished  one  that  the  produce  of  the  Sale 
might  be  applied  to  the  wants  of  the  Estate. 

I observe  what  you  say  respecting  the  Flowering  Shrubs 
and  other  Oniamental  Trees  at  the  X®  end  of  the  House — and 
as  the  locusts  by  the  goodness  of  their  growth  may  lay  claim 
to  an  establishment  there — I wish  that  the  afore-mentioned 
shrubs  and  ornamental  and  curious  trees  may  be  planted  at 
both  ends  that  I may  determine  hereafter  from  circumstances 
and  appearances  which  shall  be  the  grove  and  which  the 
wilderness.  It  is  easy  to  extii-pate  Trees  from  any  spot  but 
time  only  can  bring  them  to  maturity. 

In  a drawer  in  the  Locker  of  the  Desk  which  stands  in  my 
study  you  will  find  two  small  (fore)  teeth  ; which  I beg  of 
you  to  wrap  up  carefully,  and  send  inclosed  in  your  next 
letter  to  me. — I am  positive  I left  them  there,  or  in  the  secret 
drawer  in  the  locker  of  the  same  desk. 

Mrs.  Washington  and  myself  are  sorry  to  hear  that  Mrs. 


APPENDIX. 


325 


Washington  has  been  delivered  of  a dead  child,  but  very  glad 
to  find  she  is  so  well  after  it. — We  have  nothing  new  and  are 
beginning  to  be  hard  bound  in  frost. 

O O 

I am  sincerely  and  affecfi^ 

y” 

G®  Washington. 

P.S.  When  the  case  will  admit  of  it — The  Trees  and  Tlow- 
oring  Shrubs  that  are. transplanted  to  the  ends  of  the  House 
have  a better  chance  of  living  if  taken  from  the  open  fields 
than  the  woods. — In  the  first  case  they  have  been  more  ac- 
customed to  bear  drought  and  are  hardier  than  those  taken 
from  the  Woods,  where  sun,  winds,  frost,  nor  drought  has 
had  much  power  on  them, — and  besides  are  handsomer.” 

The  allusion  to  his  teeth  in  the  foregoing  letter  may  lend 
a certain  interest  to  the  following  note  (loaned  me  by  Dr. 
Coutant  of  Tarrytown,)  from  Washington’s  dentist. 

Hew  York,  Jan’y  11,  1799. 

Sm, 

Your  Letter  of  the  6^^  with  the  two  enclosed  Bills,  contain- 
ing fifteen  dollars,  came  safe  to  my  hands,  for  which  I Be- 
turn  you  thanks.  I will  Bite  and  let  you  know  if  1 Bemove 
from  here,  and  where  to,  as  I meain  to  perform  for  you  in 
my  present  professional  line  when  I have  done  with  every 
other  person. 

I am  Sir  your  very  humble  Servant 

John  Greenwood. 

Lh  G.  George  Washington  Esq. 

P.S.  I never  make  any  Charge  Against  you  either  in  book 
or  other  ways.” 

Edmund  Bandolph,  whose  legal  services  are  alluded  to  in 
the  third  letter  to  Lund  Washington,  (see  also  p.  134)  refused 
to  accept  payment  from  Washington,  though  such  services 


326 


APPENDIX. 


were  continued  for  many  years.  In  a letter  of  IT  July  1784 
Randolph  writes  to  AYashington : “You  will  excuse  me,  I 
Lope,  from  accepting  fees  for  any  business  which  I may 
execute  for  you  in  the  line  of  my  profession.  It  is  indeed  a 
poor  mode  of  acknowledging  the  repeated  acts  of  friendship 
which  I have  experienced  at  your  hands,  hut  I beg  to  be 
gratified  in  this,  the  usual  way  in  which  lawyers  give  some 
small  testimony  of  their  attachment.  The  grants  [i.e.  of 
lands,  secured  by  Randolph  for  AYashington]  which  accom- 
pany this  letter  are  of  a bulky  nature,  but  I thought  I ought 
to  enclose  them  by  post,  the  stage  having  been  found  in  one 
instance  not  to  be  the  most  certain  conveyance.” 


APPENDIX. 


327 


I (p.  103). 

For  the  following  letter  I am  indebted  to  Ferdinand  Dreer 
Esq.,  of  Philadelphia. 


Mount  Yernon,  24  May  — 99. 

Thomson  Mason,  Esq. 

Sir, 

I mean  to  renew  the  outer  fence,  on  the  line  between  you 
and  me, — and  in  a manner  more  substantial  than  usual. 

Mr.  Anderson  wdll  explain  the  method  by  w*^^  I propose  to 
accomplish  this,  to  you,  and  ask  your  leave  to  profit  by  your 
Ditch,  and  present  fence  : — which  can  be  attended  with  no 
temporary  inconvenience  to  yourself — and  may,  ultimately, 
be  of  singular  advantage  to  you,  as  well  as  myself ; as  my 
fence  may  subserve  your  purposes  as  well  as  my  own.  With 
esteem  and  regard 

I am — Sir 

Your  most  Obed^  Serv^ 

Washington. 


328 


APPENDIX. 


J (p.  130). 

Washington’s  cosmopolitan  ideas  of  farming  made  him 
curious  in  breeds  of  cattle,  and  particularly  of  pigs.  In  1788 
Gouverneur  Morris  offered  to  send  him  a couple  of  Chinese 
pigs,  “ and  in  conpany  with  the  pigs  shall  be  sent  a pair  of 
Chinese  geese,  which  are  really  the  foolishest  geese  I ever 
beheld ; for  they  choose  all  times  for  setting  but  in  the 
spring,  and  one  of  them  is  even  now  [l^ovember]  actually 
engaged  in  that  business.”  To  which  Washington  responds, 
“You  will  be  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks  for  the  exotic 
animals  which  you  are  meditating  to  send  me.”  (Constance 
Cary  Harrison  in  the  Century^  April  1889.)  Washington 
made  an  effort  to  improve  these  pigs,  which  are  alluded  to 
in  the  following  letter,  loaned  me  by  Mr.  O.  L.  Sypher,  of 
Hew  York. 


Philadelphia,  IP^  Peb.  1796. 

Bushrod  Washington,  Esq.,  Pichmondin  Ya. 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  my  last  to  you,  relative  to  my  Executorship  of  Col? 
Colvell’s  Estate,  I sent  as  therein  mentioned,  to  the  person 
from  whom  I had  purchased  the  Guinea,  or  Chinese  Hogs 
which  you  saw  at  my  Mill ; and  obtained  two ; a boar  and 
a sow ; — the  latter  with  Pig.  He  informed  me,  however, 
that  they  were  not  of  the  whole  blood, — but,  in  his  opinion, 
improved  from  their  mixture  with  another  breed  of  Hogs, 
which  he  has. — They  were  accompanied  with  as  much  Corn 
as  would  serve  them — plentifully — on  the  passage,  and  ordered 
immediately  to  the  Yessel,  which  was  on  the  point  of  sailing, 
and  did  sail  yesterday ; and  a receipt  to  be  taken  therefor 


APPENDIX. 


329 


and  brought  to  me. — This  not  being  received  until  today,  I 
was  surprised,  (but  too  late  to  remonstrate  ag*^  it)  at  the 
freight  that  is  charged.  But  it  is  the  way  we  are  imposed 
upon  here  in  almost  everything. — My  love  to  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington, w®^  your  aunt  joins. — I am  always,  and  affect^^ 
Yours 


Washington. 


330 


APPENDIX. 


K (p.  259). 

Washington’s  Library  contained  a large  number  of  works 
on  agricultural  science.  The  improvement  of  Virginia 
methods  was  a subject  of  consultation  between  him  and  his 
connection,  Landon  Carter,  of  Cleve,  (1750-1810)  whose 
scientific  studies  excited  the  attention  of  Dr.  Rush.  The 
original  of  the  following  letter  to  Landon  Carter  is  in  pos- 
session of  Mrs.  Lewis  Willis  Minor,  of  Norfolk,  Ya.,  whose 
husband  was  a grandson  of  Landon  Carter,  who  was  a de- 
scendant of  the  famous  “King  Carter,”  administrator  of 
Lord  Fairfax’s  vast  estates. 


Mount  Vernon,  17^^  Oct.  1796. 

Sir, 

The  letter  with  which  you  have  favoured  me,  dated  the 
28*"^  ult.  came  duly  to  hand. 

A few  months  more  will  put  an  end  to  my  political  exist- 
ence, and  place  me  in  the  shades  of  Mount  Vernon  under 
my  Vine  and  Fig  Tree ; where  at  all  times  I should  be  glad 
to  see  you. 

It  is  true  (as  you  have  heard)  that  to  be  a cultivator  of 
Land  has  been  my  favorite  amusement ; — but  it  is  equally 
true  that  I have  made  very  little  proficiency  in  acquiring 
knowledge  either  in  the  principles  or  practice  of  Husbandry. 
My  employments  through  life,  have  been  so  diversified — my 
absences  from  home  have  been  so  frequent,  and  so  long  at  a 
time,  as  to  have  prevented  me  from  bestowing  the  attention, 
and  from  making  the  experiments  which  are  necessary  to 
establish  facts  in  the  Sience  of  Agriculture. — And  now, 
though  I may  amuse  myself  in  that  way  for  the  short  time  I 
may  remain  on  this  Theatre,  it  is  too  late  in  the  day  for  7ne 
to  commence  a scientific  course  of  experiments. 


APPENDIX. 


331 


Your  thoughts  on  the  mode  of  cultivating  Indian  corn, 
appeared  to  me,  to  be  founded  in  reason, — and  a judicious 
management  of  the  Soil  for  different  purposes,  is  as  highly 
interesting  to,  as  it  has  been  neglected  by,  the  People  of  this 
Country  ; to  the  consequent  destruction  of  much  valuable 
land. — 

How  to  restore  it  to  its  original  fruitfulness  ; — and  to  in- 
crease the  means  by  Stercoraries  etc. ; to  preserve  it  in  that 
or  an  improving  state  ; — what  rotation  in  crops  is  best  adapted 
to  soils,  of  different  qualities,  in  order  to  keep  our  fields  in 
health  and  vigour,  and  at  the  same  time  to  derive  immediate 
profit  from  them,  are  the  great  desiderata  of  the  Husbandman. 

It  is  what  the  People  of  the  interior  parts  of  our  country 
must  come  to  soon,  or  emigrate  to  the  exterior  parts  of  it  for 
subsistence  on  more  productive  Soil. 

Hothing  has  contributed,  nor  will  any  thing  contribute 
more  to  effect  these  desirable  purposes  than  the  establishment 
of  Agricultural  Societies  in  this,  as  they  have  been  in  other 
countries : that  the  community  may  derive  advantages  fi’om 
the  experiments  and  discoveries  of  the  more  intelligent  com- 
municator through  such  channels. — Besides  the  numerous 
local  Societies  which  are  to  be  found  in  all  parts  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  a national  one  is  now  established  under 
the  auspices  of  the  government  of  those  countries ; which 
will,  I conceive,  be  found  among  the  most  useful  and  bene- 
ficial institutions  in  them,  if  it  is  prosecuted  with  as  much 
assiduity  as  it  has  commenced,  under  Presidency  of  Sir  JiP 
Sinclair — 

I shall  always  feel  myself  obliged  by  your  communicating 
any  useful  discovery  in  Agriculture ; and  for  the  favourable 
sentiments  you  have  been  pleased  to  express  for  me,  I pray 
you  to  accept  the  thanks  of 
Sir, 

Your  most  obed^  and  very  IH^®  Servant 

G°  Washington. 


333 


APPENDIX. 


L (p.  272). 

The  gap  of  time  between  this  and  the  succeeding  document 
may  be  partly  filled  by  the  letters  following.  For  the  corre- 
spondence with  Landon  Carter  of  Cleve  I am  indebted  to  his 
great  grandson,  L.  M.  Blackford,  Principal  of  the  Episcopal 
High  School,  near  Alexandria,  Ya. 

Philadelphia,  27*^^  Feb.,  1797. 

Landon  Cartek,  Esq. 

Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  the  inst.  came  duly  to  hand ; and  I hope, 
as  the  season  is  approaching  fast  when  the  ground  should  be 
prepared  for  it,  that  you  have  informed  Mr.  James  Anderson 
(my  manager)  in  a letter  directed  to  the  care  of  the  Post- 
master in  Alexandria,  at  what  time  he  may  send  for  the  Peas 
you  were  so  obliging  as  to  promise  me. 

Having  informed  Mr.  Anderson  of  my  expectation  of  Peas 
from  you,  he  suggested  (and  I thought  it  a good  expedient) 
that  instead  of  sending  my  own  Waggon  along  the  heavy  road 
between  Mount  Yernon  and  Stafford  Court  House,  that  one 
should  be  hired  by  you  to  transport  them  to  some  land^  on  the 
Potomack  at  which  my  Boat  at  an  appointed  time,  might 
meet  them. — As  the  roads,  1 am  told,  were  never  worse  than 
at  present ; and  as  no  road  in  the  world  can  be  deeper  or 
more  distressing  for  horses  to  plunge  through  than  the  one 
from  Occoquan  to  Stafi:’ord  Court  House ; the  expedient 
before  mentioned  has,  in  a manner,  become  essential : and  I 
will  cheerfully  add  the  cost  of  Waggonage  to  the  price  of  the 
Peas,  and  pay  the  whole  by  your  order ; or  remit  it  in  Bank 
notes  as  soon  as  the  amount  is  made  known  to  me. 

As  delay  or  uncertainty  in  any  respect,  may  prove  injurious, 
I have  put  this  letter  (open)  under  cover  to  Mr.  Anderson, 


APPENDIX. 


333 


with  a request  that  he  may  also  write  you  on  the  subject,  for 
the  purpose  of  having  a time  and  place  fixed,  that  my  Boat 
may  not  be  disappointed  when  it  arrives. — The  matter  there- 
fore now  rests  between  3^011,  and  him. — 

With  great  esteem 

I am — Sir 

Your  Obedient  Serv. 

G®  Washington. 

Mount  Yernon,  3^^  March  1797. 

Landon  Carter,  Esq. 

Sir: 

At  the  request  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  I have 
to  beor  leave  to  hand  His  letter  under  the  same  cover  with 

o 

this. 

I have  only  to  add  to  that  wrote  by  the  President — that 
the  sooner  3’ou  have  40  Bushels  of  the  White  Indian  pease, 
with  black  eyes — readjq  you  will  the  more  Oblidge  the  Presi- 
dent, I do  not  wish  any  of  the  small  kind  either  the  round 
kind  called  the  Gentlemen  pease,  nor  of  the  other  small  kind, 
which  resemble  the  large — It  is  not  for  sale  that  I intend 
raising  them — Our  Stock  of  Sheep  being  upward  of  600  and 
probably  may  increase  them.  These  pease  are  meant  to  be  fed 
away  to  them,  which  with  the  assistance  of  Turnip  will  (3^011 
know)  make  an  excellent  Winter  food — Have  3"ou  any  of  the 
gre3^  pease  raised  in  the  County  of  Glocester,  under  the  name 
of  the  Yeatman  pea  ? If  so.  It  will  be  conferring  a still 
greater  Obligation  Your  leting  us  have  2 Bushels  of  them. 

As  I will  raise  a-little  Cotton  for  Mrs.  Washington,  please 
send  us  2 Bushels  of  the  seed  of  white  Cotton,  such  as  you 
can  recomend,  and  place  this  with  the  Carriage  &c  to  the 
same  account. 

Your  Superior  knowledge  of  the  Potomack  and  its  Creeks 
makes  me  refer  the  place  of  delivery  to  Yourself.  May  there- 
fore please  mention  the  nearest  and  most  convenient  Shiping 


334: 


APPENDIX. 


place  on  this  Eiver,  or  its  Creeks  for  Your  delivery.  And 
such  as  our  Boat  will  come  into. — She  draws  2 to  3 feet  water 
when  Loaded — I will  expect  the  favor  of  hearing  from  you 
on  receipt  hereof.  And  will  be  sure  to  send  when  and  where 
you  direct  being  with  much  respect 

Sir 

Your  most  Obed*^ 

Humble  Serv^ 

Jas.  Anderson.’’ 

The  next  letter  (for  which  I am  indebted  to  my  friend  Dr. 
F.  B.  Coutantj  of  Tarrytown)  is  unsigned.  It  is  in  AYash- 
ington’s  handwriting,  and  endorsed  by  him:  ‘^From  Mrs. 
AVashington  to  Col.  Humphreys,  26  June  1797.” 

Mount  A^ernon,  June  26‘^  1797. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  polite  and  obliging  letter  of  the  18*^  of  Feh^  came 
safe  to  my  hands  as  did  the  gold  chain  which  you  have  pre- 
sented me  with  as  a token  of  your  remembrance.  I wanted 
nothing  to  remind  me  of  the  pleasure  we  have  had  in  your 
company  at  this  place ; but  sliall  receive  the  chain  notwith- 
standing, as  an  emblem  of  your  friendship,  and  shall  value  it 
accordingly. 

About  the  middle  of  March  we  once  more  (and  I am  very 
sure  never  to  leave  it  again)  got  seated  under  our  own  Koof, 
more  like  new  beginners  than  old  established  residenters,  as 
we  found  everything  in  a deranged,  and  the  buildings  in  a 
decaying  state. 

Poor  Mrs.  Stuart  has  had  very  ill  health  for  the  last  six  or 
eight  months  but  is  better  now.  Her  two  oldest  daughters  as 
you  know,  or  have  heard,  are  both  married,  and  each  have  a 
daughter,  Yelly  lives  as  usual  with  us,  to  all  of  whom  I have 
presented  you  in  the  terms  you  required,  and  all  reciprocate 
your  kind  wishes  in  an  affectionate  manner.  Mr.  Lear  who 


APPENDIX. 


335 


often  visits  us,  has  lost  liis  second  wife  more  than  a year  ago. 
Mr.  Lund  Washington  died  in  August  last.  Our  circle  of 
friends  of  course  is  contracted,  without  any  disposition  on  our 
part  to  enter  into  new  friendshi^ys  though  we  have  an  abun- 
dance of  acquaintances  and  a vast  variety  of  visitors.  Dr. 
Craik  is  alive  and  enjoys  tolerably  good  health,  but  Mrs.  Craik 
declines  fast.  They  have  lately  lost  their  second  daughter, 
Mrs.  West,  who  has  left  five  young  children. 

Perceiving  from  your  letter  to  Mr.  W.  that  you  were  upon 
the  eve  of  an  important  change,  I wish  you  every  possible 
happiness  in  it.  With  very  great  esteem  and  regard 
I am  Dear  Sir 

Y""  obed’t  Hble  Serv’t. 


336 


APPENDIX. 


M (p.  275). 

During  the  last  year  of  her  husband’s  presidency  Mrs. 
Washington  had  aged  greatly,  and  indeed  remained  an  in- 
valid to  the  close  of  her  life  (1802).  The  unhappy  separation 
from  old  friends,  through  political  differences  (alluded  to  in 
her  letter  to  Col.  Humphreys,  Appendix  L)  was  accompanied 
by  domestic  worries,  some  of  which  are  indicated  in  the  fol- 
lowing letters,  which  fall  within  the  long  interval  left  by  the 
Pearce  Letters.  For  the  first  I am  indebted  to  Mr.  Q.  L. 
Sypher,  of  Hew -York. 


Mount  Yernon,  3 Hov’^  1797. 
Bushrod  Washington,  Esq.,  Bichmond. 

. My  Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  30^^  ult.  was  received  by  the  last  Post. 

Your  aunt’s  distresses  for  want  of  a good  housekeeper  are 
such  as  to  render  the  wages  demanded  by  Mrs.  Forbes  (though 
unusually  high)  of  no  consideration;  and  we  must,  though 
very  reluctantly,  yield  to  the  time  she  requires  to  prepare 
for  her  fixture  here.  We  wish  however  that  it  might  be 
shortened. 

If  }'OU  are  in  habits  of  free  communication  with  Mr.  Brooke 
or  with  others  who  had  opportunities  of  judging  competently 
of  the  qualifications  and  conduct  of  Mrs.  Forbes  as  a house- 
keeper, I would  thank  you  for  ascertaining  and  giving  it  to 
me  in  as  precise  a manner  as  you  can  obtain  it.  Among 
other  things  it  would  be  satisfactory  to  know — 

What  countrywoman  she  is  ? 

Whether  Widow  or  Wife  ? if  the  latter 

Where  her  husband  is  ? 

What  family  she  has  ? 

What  her  age  is  ? 


APPENDIX. 


337 


Of  what  temper  ? 

Whether  active  and  spirited  in  the  execution  of  her  busi- 
ness ? 

Whether  sober  and  honest  ? 

Whether  much  knowledge  in  Cookery,  and  understands 
ordering  and  setting  out  a Table  ? 

What  her  appearance  is  ? 

With  other  matters , which  may  occur  to  you  to  ask, — and 
necessary  for  me  to  know. 

Mrs.  Forbes  will  have  a warm,  decent  and  comfortable 
room  to  herself,  to  lodge  in,  and  will  eat  of  the  Yictuals  of 
our  Table,  but  not  set  at  it,  at  any  time  with  us^  be  her  ap- 
pearance what  it  may  ; for  if  this  was  once  admitted^  no  line 
satisfactory  to  either  party,  perhaps,  could  be  drawn  there- 
after.— It  might  be  well  for  me  to  know  however  whether 
this  was  admitted  at  Gov^  Brookes  or  not. 

Is  it  practicable  do  you  think  to  get  a good  and  well-dis- 
posed negro  cook  on  hire,  or  purchase  ? — Mention  this  want 
of  ours  to  Mrs.  Forbes.  She  from  the  interest  she  would 
have  therein  might  make  enquiry. — Tours  always  and  affec- 
tionately 

G°  Washington. 

P.S.  Since  writing  the  foregoing  Mrs.  L.  Washington 
informs  me  that  Mr.  Swan  is  anxious  to  learn  from  the 
Beturns,  or  Records  in  the  General  Court, — or  from  the  best 
information  you  can  obtain  whether  it  has  been  the  invari- 
able practice  to  survey  the  Land  Docked  by  a writ  of  Ad 
quod  damnum — wLether  it  has  frequently  been  dispensed 
with — and  what  has  been  the  consequence. — Let  me  thank 
you  for  making  this  enquiry  and  furnishing  me  with  the  result 
of  it.  Yrs.  G.  W n ” 

The  next  letter  is  to  his  nephew.  Major  George  Lewis  of 
Fredericksburg,  for  which  I am  indebted  to  his  great  grand- 
son R.  B.  Lewis  Esq.  of  Washington. 

22 


338 


APPENDIX. 


Mount  Yernon,  13  JSTov.  1797 

Dear  Sir, 

The  running  off  of  my  cook  has  been  a most  inconvenient 
thing  to  this  family,  and  what  rendered  it  more  disagreeable 
in  that  I had  resolved  never  to  become  the  Master  of  another 
slave  by  purchase,  but  this  resolution  I fear  I must  break.  I 
have  endeavored  to  hire,  black  or  white,  but  am  not  yet  sup- 
plied. A few  days  ago,  having  occasion  to  write  to  Mr. 
Bushrod  Washington  on  other  matters,  I asked  if  one  could 
be  had  in  Bichmond.  The  following  is  his  answer : “ Mr. 
Brooke  (late  Governor)  informs  me  that  he  had  a very  ex- 
cellent cook,  with  no  other  fault  than  a fondness  for  liquor 
(which  a town  affords  him  too  many  opportunities  of  indulg- 
ing), who  is  now  in  Fredericksburg  and  is  to  be  sold.  I shall 
write  to  the  gentleman  who  had  him  not  to  sell  him  till  he 
hears  from  you. — Should  you,  under  this  character^  wish  to 
buy  or  hire  him,  please  address  a letter  to  Mr.  George  Murray, 
of  that  place.  He  cooked  for  Mr.  Brooke  while  he  was  in 
the  government.” 

Let  me  ask  you  now  to  see  both  Mr.  Murray  and  the  man 
himself,  and  if,  upon  conversing  fully  with  the  latter,  you 
should  be  of  opinion,  from  the  account  he  gives  of  himself, 
that  he  is  a good  cook  and  would  answer  my  purpose,  then 
discover  the  lowest  terms  on  which  he  could  be  had  by 
purchase,  or  on  hire,  and  inform  me  of  the  result  by 
the  first  post,  to  which  an  answer  shall  immediately  be 
given. 

I should  like  to  know  the  age,  and  as  far  as  you  are  enabled 
to  ascertain  it,  the  temper  and  looks  of  the  man  described  ; 
whether  he  has  a wife  and  expects  to  have  her  along  with 
him,  and  in  that  case,  what  children  they  have — with  her  age 
and  occupation.  By  the  time  I can  receive  an  answer  from 
you  I expect  Mrs.  Forbes,  who  was  Governor  Brooke’s  house- 
keeper, and  from  her  own  knowledge,  of  the  person  and  your 


APPENDIX. 


339 


account  I shall  be  enabled  to  determine  what  answer  to  give. 
Our  loves  to  Mrs.  Lewis  etc.  I am  your  affectionate  uncle 

G.  Washington. 

Mount  Yernon,  18^^  Dec’^  1797. 

Bushrod  Washington,  Esq 
My  Dear  Bushrod, 

Your  letter  of  the  26*^  ult°  came  safe  in  the  usual  course  of 
the  mail,  and  about  a week  ago  Mrs.  Forbes  arrived ; and 
from  her  appearance,  and  conduct  hitherto,  gives  satisfaction 
to  your  aunt. — Having,  as  she  says,  obtained  ten  dollars  of 
you,  to  defray  her  expences  to  this  place ; I herein  return 
them,  with  thanks  for  the  aid  it  afforded  to  get  her  here. — 
and  as  you  may  have  paid  for  the  copies  of  sundry  papers 
taken  from  the  Becords  of  the  General  Court,  let  me  know 
the  amount  and  it  shall  be  remitted  also. 

About  a month  ago  a Mr.  Woodward,  living,  according  to 
his  own  account,  at  Greenbrier  Courthouse  presented  draughts 
(of  which  the  enclosed  are  copies)  from  the  Sheriff  of  Kan- 
hawa  for  taxes  of  my  land  in  that  County.  I did  not  incline 
to  pay  the  amount  wdthout  making  further  enquiry  into  the 
matter. — Upon  this  he  informed  me  that  I might  obtain  the 
necessary  information  at  the  Treasury,  or  Auditor’s  Office  in 
Kichmond  ; to  which  the  returns  were  made,  and  where  the 
money  might  be,  and  often  was,  paid,  instead  of  doing  it  to 
the  Sheriff  of  the  Back  counties,  by  non-residents.  You 
would  oblige  me  by  making  this  enquiry,  and  if  the  taxes  are 
correctly  stated,  and  the  amount  of  them  can  be  paid  with 
propriety  in  Bichmond,  to  inform  me  thereof ; and  measures 
shall  be  taken  as  ^on  as  I am  in  Cash,  to  discharge  the  same. 
The  enclosed  paper,  after  it  has  enabled  you  to  make  the 
necessary  enquiry,  may  be  returned  to  me  again. — The  family 
here  join  me  in  offering  you  and  Mrs.  Washington  the  com- 
pliments of  the  approaching  festival — and  I am  with  much 
truth  Your  sincere  friend  and  affectionate  uncle 

G®  AYashington. 


34:0 


APPENDIX. 


]S^  (p.  288). 

There  is  something  pathetic  in  these  dates.  The  national 
horizon  cleared  of  the  clouds  which  had  threatened  to  call  him 
again  from  his  beloved  Mount  Yernon,  there  opened  before 
the  farmer  a prospect  of  farther  years  in  which  he  should  en- 
joy his  estate  and  his  repose.  His  physical  decline  was  more 
apparent  to  careful  observers  than  to  himself ; among  others 
to  Landon  Carter  of  Cleve,  who,  though  not  a physician,  was 
a careful  student.  My  friend  L.  M.  Blackford  (Principal  of 
the  Episcopal  High  School,  near  Alexandria)  sends  me  a cor- 
respondence between  his  great-grandfather,  Landon  Carter, 
and  Washington  of  which  a portion  is  here  inserted.  In  a 
letter  dated  ‘‘ Cleve,  King  George  Co.,  Ya.,  1 Oct.  1798’’ 
Landon  Carter  says  to  Washington  : 

“Health  is  a grand  object  with  man  but  it  becomes  all 
important  when  the  preservation  of  it  in  any  one  person 
comprehends  all  the  relations  of  a People ; when  like  a 
focus  the  views  of  all  direct  to  a single  point : Permit  me 
therefore  to  lay  before  you  some  leading  principles ; some 
conclusions ; and  some  consequent  practice  for  the  security 
of  health. 

“ I believe  it  is  a fact  generally  admitted,  that  all  the  works 
of  nature  are  sustained  by  principles  which,  beyond  a certain 
point,  become  destructive  — or  technically  speaking,  “ all 
things  contain  within  them  the  seeds  of  their  own  dissolu- 
tion.” In  pursuance  of  a conviction  of  this  truth,  I sought  for 
that  principle  in  Man  : “ Dust  thou  art  and  unto  dust  thou 
shalt  return  ” are  solemn  words  pronounced  in  that  last  office 
performed  by  his  weeping  friends. 

“A  great  modern  Philosopher  in  his  nomenclature  has 
arranged  five  Elements  as  the  constituents  of  all  the  variety 


APPENDIX. 


341 


in  nature.  One  of  these  I trace  to  the  characterising  the 
matter  of  Earth — the  same  is  found,  by  experiment,  to  form 
the  basis  of  oils — I therefore  suppose  it  to  be  the  fundamental 
principle  of  the  animal  Oeconomy.  This  principle  is  also 
found  to  be  the  basis  of  fixed  air,  and  that  compound  is  de- 
nominated an  asscid.  I trace  many  diseases  to  an  asscid  for 
their  source  when  it  is  detained  in  the  stomach  and  is  taken 
up  in  too  great  quantities  into  the  system.  I conclude  then 
that,  by  arresting  that  superabundance  while  yet  in  the 
stomach  and  before  it  is  taken  up  I arrest  incipient  disease.” 
The  letter  then  proceeds  to  give,  at  some  length,  prescrip- 
tions drawn  from  the  writer’s  experience  and  studies.  Wash- 
ington’s reply  follows. 


Mount  Yernon,  5^^  Oct.,  1798. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  1®^  inst.  has  been  received,  and  if  it  had 
been  convenient,  I should  have  been  glad  of  your  company  as 
you  travelled  to  Annapolis. — As  you  propose,  however,  to 
send  in  your  servant,  and  I am  generally  on  horseback  be- 
tween breakfast  and  dinner,  that  he  may  not  be  delayed  or 
disappointed,  you  will  receive,  enclosed,  one  letter  for  the 
Gov’^  of  Maryland  (an  old  acquaintance  of  mine)  and  another 
for  Mr.  McDonah,  President  of  the  College. — which,  I hope 
may  answer  your  purposes. — They  will  be  left  under  this 
cover  for  whomsoever  you  may  send,  in  case  I should  be 
out. 

I thank  you  foi:^the  trouble  you  have  taken  in  delivering 
your  thoughts  on  the  means  of  preserving  health.  Having, 
through  life,  been  blessed  with  a competent  share  of  it  with- 
out using  preventatives  against  sickness,  and  as  little  medicine 
as  possible  when  sick ; — I can  have  no  inducement  now  to 
change  my  practice. — against  the  effect  of  time  and  age,  no  • 
remedy  has  ever  yet  been  discovered ; — and  like  the  rest  of 


342 


APPENDIX. 


my  fellow-mortals,  I must  (if  life  is  prolonged)  submit,  and  be 
reconciled,  to  a gradual  decline. 

With  esteem  and  regard 

I am — Dear  Sir 
Your  Most  Obed^  Serv* 

Washington. 

Please  to  put  wafers  in  the ' 
letters  before  delivery. 

The  last  year  of  Washington’s  life  opened  with  schemes 
for  the  rounding  out  of  his  beautiful  district  on  the  Potomac. 
The  following  letter,  with  which  I am  favored  by  Professor 
Chapman  Maupin,  of  Ellicott  City,  Maryland,  a descendant  of 
Lawrence  Washington  the  immigrant,  refers  to  a piece  of  land 
between  Mount  Yernon  and  Occoquan  Creek. 

Mount  Yernon,  18^^  Mar  : 1799 

Capt^’  Will^^  Thompson. 

Dear  Sir, 

Col.  Tho®  Lee  (of  Loudoun)  is  possessed,  I am  informed,  of 
a tract  of  about  400  acres  of  Land  within  a mile  of  Colchester, 
which  he  is  disposed  to  sell. — Let  me  request  the  favour  of 
you  to  describe  it  to  me  as  accurately  as  you  can  from  your 
own  knowledge,  or  from  the  information  of  others  on  whose 
judgment  you  can  rely. 

In  doing  this,  say  what  the  kind  and  quality  of  the  soil 
is ; — whether  level  or  broken  ; — what  the  nature  of  the 
growth ; — what  proportion  is  in  wood  ; — How  timbered  ; 
what  tenements  are  on  it ; — the  condition  of  them  ; — whether 
much  worn  and  gullied,  or  in  good  heart ; — and  whether  they 
are  tenants  at  will  or  on  leases ; and  what  kind  of  leases ; 
with  the  scms  of  improvements. — How  watered  also. — 

To  this  catalogue  of  enquiries,  permit  me  to  ask,  what,  in 
your  opinion,  and  the  opinion  of  such  as  are  acquainted  with 
the  value,  and  prices  of  land  in  that  neighbourhood,  and 


APPENDIX. 


3-i3 


situated  as  it  is,  it  is  worth  in  Cash — also  on  credit,  and  what 
credit. 

I will  offer  no  apology  for  giving  you  the  trouble  to  make 
these  enquiries,  but  shall  thank  you  for  answering  them  ; as 
I have  an  object  in  requesting  this  kindness  from  you. — With 
esteem, 

I am  Dear  Sir 

Your  Obedient  Serv^ 

Washington.” 

The  original  of  the  next  letter  is  in  possession  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liam T.  Darlington  of  Pittsburgh;  it  is  to  his  Manager,  James 
Anderson,  then,  it  would  appear,  on  a remote  part  of  the 
estate. 


Mount  Yernon,  8^  Sep.  1799. 

Mr.  Anderson, 

Mrs.  Washington  passed  a good  night — is  clear  of  fever 
today — and  is  taking  the  Bark — which  I hope  will  prevent  a 
return  of  it. 

I am  much  hurried  and  pressed,  with  one  thing  and  an- 
other, but  do  what  humanity  requires  for  Boberts : — who 
ought  not  to  have  engaged  in  the  situation  he  is  in  without 
first  informing  me  of  it. — Dr.  Craik  is  not  noio  here  ; — nor 
collected  if  Mrs.  Washington  should  not  relapse; — but  the 
case  may  be  stated  to  him  against  tomorrow  afternoon,  when 
I shall  send  up  to  the  Post  Office. — If  it  be  found  that  he  is 
not  now — nor  soon  vnll  be,  in  a condition  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  a miller,  some  other  must^  undoubtedly,  be  got ; as 
I cannot  loose  the  J^all  woi*k  of  the  mill. — He  may  have  medi- 
cine, or  anything  else  from  hence. 

I did  not  send  to  the  Post  Office  yesterday — of  course  no 
papers  came. — I was  sorry  to  hear  of  your  indisposition. — I 
fear  the  charge  with  which  you  are  entrusted,  is  too  much 
for  your  healtli,  and  that  to  execute  it  properly  will  rather 
increase  than  diminish  your  complaint. 


APPENDIX. 


SU 

I shall  therefore,  so  soon  as  company — sickness — and 
other  circumstances  will  allow  me  time  to  digest  my  thoughts 
on  this  subject — express  them  to  you  in  a more  full  and  ample 
manner  than  I can  do  at  present — I am  always 

Your  friend  &c® 

G : Washington.” 

This  volume  may  fitly  close  with  the  following  letter  to 
Col.  Burgess  Ball,  to  whose  grandson.  Col.  George  Washing- 
ton Ball  of  Alexandria,  I am  indebted  for  it.  Washington 
died  eighty-three  days  after  writing  this  pathetic  note  con- 
cerning the  death  of  his  brother  Charles. 


Mt.  Yernon,  Sept.  22d,  1799. 

Dear  Sir  : 

Your  letter  of  the  16th  inst.  has  been  received,  informing 
me  of  the  death  of  my  brother. 

The  death  of  near  relations  always  produces  awful  and 
affecting  emotions,  under  whatsoever  circumstances  it  may 
happen.  That  of  my  brother  has  been  so  long  expected,  and 
his  latter  days  so  uncomfortable  to  himself,  (sic)  must  have 
prepared  all  around  him  for  the  stroke,  though  painful  in  the 
effect. 

I was  the  first,  and  am,  now,  the  last  of  my  father’s  chil- 
dren by  the  second  marriage,  who  remain. 

When  I shall  be  called  upon  to  follow  them  is  known  only 
to  the  Giver  of  Life.  When  the  summons  comes  I shall  en- 
deavor to  obey  it  with  a good  grace. 

Mrs.  Washington  has  been  and  still  is  very  much  indis- 
posed, but  unites  with  me  in  best  wishes  for  you,  Mrs.  Ball, 
and  family. 

With  great  esteem  and  regard,  I am.  Dear  Sir,  your  affec- 
tion’te  serv’t 


G°  Washington. 


INDEX, 


A BIXGDON,  Va.,  Ixxv. 

Abram,  negro,  58. 

Academy,  Alexandria,  Ixxv  ; An- 
dover, Ixxxviii ; Fredericksburg, 
Ixxxviii. 

Achoactoke,  river,  xx. 

Acquia,  Ixxiv. 

Acrostic,  Washington’s,  xxxvi. 

Adams,  Mrs.  John,  xlviii. 

Adams,  Hon.  Thomas,  xxxix. 

Adet,  French  Minister,  256. 

Adwick-le-Street,  xvii. 

Airass,  Mr.,  306. 

Aix-la-Chapelle,  Ixviii. 

Alexanders,  xxxvi,  315. 

Alexandria,  relics  at,  Ixxi ; ball  at, 
Ixxiii. 

Allison,  overseer,  220,  270. 

Allison,  Col.  Thomas,  231. 

Ambler,  Mary  (Cary),  xxxvi. 

Ames,  Hon.  Fisher,  251. 

Anderson,  James,  manager,  263, 
267,  271,  274,  327,  332,  343. 

Andover,  Washington  at,  xlviii ; 
academy,  Ixxxviii. 

Archer,  Mr.,  320. 

Arms,  Washington,  xiv. 

Ashby,  Capt.,  Ixvii. 

Ashford,  (leorge,  318. 

Asses,  from  Spain,  Ixxiv,  Ixxv. 

Association,  non-importation,  299. 

Atherall,  Hannah,  xxiv. 

Augusta  County,  Va.,  xlix. 

Aylett,  Anne  (see  Washington). 

gAILEY,  Pierce,  406,  166,  169, 

Ball,  arras,  genealogy,  etc.,  xxiii  ; 
Agnes,  Alice,  Als,  xxiii ; Anne, 
xxiii,  XXX,  85  ; Col.  Burgess, 
XXX,  Ivii,  Ixxxv,  11,  41,  48,  53, 
54,  96,  231,  233,  letters  to  292, 
301,  344 ; David,  xxiv  ; Dorothy, 
xxiii ; Edward,  Elizabeth,  xxiii ; 
Esther,  xxiv  ; Frances,  xxiv  ; 
George,  xxiii  ; Capt.  George 


Washington,  xxiii,  292,  344 ; 
Hannah,  xxiv,  xxxviii,  xliii  ; 
James,  xxiv,  xxv,  85  ; Jeduthun, 
12 ; Joane,  John,  xxiii  ; Col. 
Joseph,  xxiv,  xxx  ; Joseph, 
xxiv,  xxxi,  xlii ; Margaret,  xxiv  ; 
Mary,  xxiv,  xxx  (see  Washiog- 
ton)  ; Richard,  Samuel,  xxiv  ; Sa- 
I rah,  xxxviii  ; Stretchley,  xxiv  ; 
! William,  xxiii,  xxiv,  12. 
i Ball,  Moses,  160. 

' Bancroft,  George,  v. 

: Barbadoes,  xxxix. 

; Barn,  old,  Ixix  ; bricks  for  new, 

; 280. 

■ Barney,  Capt.,  Ixxvi. 

Bassett,  Col.  Burwell,  5,  62,  299  ; 
' Mrs.,  xlvii,  Ixxiii. 

I Bassett,  Ella  (see  Mrs.  Lewis  W ash- 
ington). 

Beattie,  Dr.,  xi. 

Belvoir,  xxxiv. 
i Benjamin,  Walter  R.,  Ixvi. 

Bentley,  Caleb,  Ixxxi  ; Mrs.  Rich- 
j ard,  Ixxxi. 

' Berkeley,  Sir  William,  xxi. 
j Berkeley  Springs,  Va.,  Ixiv. 

I Bermuda,  xix. 

I Bible,  Washington  family,  xix  ; 
I Lewis,  1. 

j Bishop,  servant,  Ixxiii,  143 
Blackburn,  Col.,  Ixxvii. 

Blackford,  L.  M.,  322,  340. 

Blagden,  Mr.,  xc,  260. 

Blair,  President,  Ixxiv. 

Boatswain,  negro,  107,  109. 

Boston,  Ixxi. 

Boucher,  Rev.  Jonathan,  xxix, 
Ixxxii. 

Bowcock,  Capt.,  xci. 

Braddock,  xlii,  Ixxiii. 

Braddock  House,  126. 

Bradford,  William,  attorney-gen- 
eral, 165,  201,  205. 

Brevoort,  James  Carson  (see  Pref- 
ace). 


346 


INDEX. 


British  cruisers,  59,  229. 

British  treaty,  168,  244. 

Broad  well,  Mrs.,  Ixx. 

Brooke,  Gov.,  Ya.,  336. 

Brown,  Alexander,  xix. 

Browne,  Judith,  53. 

Brunswick,  parish,  Va.,  xxx. 
Buckminster,  Rev.  Joseph,  311. 
Burroughs.  Silas,  xliv. 

“ Bushfield,”  xxxi,  xliii. 

Bushrod,  Hannah,  xliv. 

Busts,  Ixxiv. 

Butler,  Jane,  xxvii ; wife  of  Capt. 

Augustine  Washington,  xliv. 
Butler,  Lawrence,  xxvii. 

Butler,  overseer,  16,  29,  31,  37,  92, 
103,  107,  114,  146,  191. 

Buttons,  symbolical,  Ixxi. 

(HANDLES,  funeral,  Ixxi. 

^ Carlyle,  Col.,  Ixxv. 

Carnagie,  Rev.,  xxiv. 

Caroline,  servant,  253. 

Carroll,  Hon.  Charles,  Ixiv,  313. 
Carter,  Betty  (Lewi.s),  1,  Ixi. 

Carter,  Charles,  Ivii,  Ixxvi. 

Carter,  Landon,  Ixxii,  Ixxiii,  178, 
233,  330,  340. 

Carter,  Robert  (“King  Carter”), 
330. 

Carpenter,  agreement,  277. 

Cary,  Robert  & Co.,  xvi. 

Cary,  Sally  (see  Mrs.  G.  W.  Fair- 
fax). 

Champe,  Col.,  Ixxiii. 

Champe,  Jane,  xliv. 

Chapman,  Lucy,  xliv. 

Charlemagne,  Ixviii. 

“Chatham,”  Ixxvii. 

Cheiza  d’Artignan,  Count,  Ixxv. 
Chester,  Col.  Joseph  L.,  xiv. 
Chichester,  Mr.,  lx. 

Chinn,  Raleigh,  xxiv. 

Cincinnati,  the,  Ixxi. 

Clark,  Maj.  John,  112. 

Clark,  overseer,  269,  272. 

Coach,  xvi,  Ixix. 

Cogswell,  Joseph,  v. 

Colchester,  Ixvii,  Ixxvii,  116,  342. 
College,  William  and  Mary,  Ixxii ; 
Carlisle,  Pa.,  Ixxviii ; Harvard, 
Ixxvii. 

Colville,  Col.,  328. 

Company,  Potomac,  47,  66,  102, 
303  ; James  River,  303. 

Congress,  77,  80,  112,  117,  147,  242, 
246,  251. 

Constable,  Mr.,  Ixvi. 

Convention,  Constitutional,  Ixxvi. 


Conway,  Col.  Edwin,  xxiv,  xxviii, 
85. 

Conway,  Capt.,  85. 

Conway,  Joseph,  85. 

Conway,  Mary,  85. 

Conway,  Nelly,  85. 

Conway,  Richard,  85. 

Conway,  Richard  M.,  xliv. 

Conway,  Sarah,  xxxviii,  128. 
Cooper  Jack,  negro,  187. 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  xli. 

Cotton,  Dr. , letter  of,  xxxii. 
Coutant,  Dr.,  325,  334. 

Cowpens,  hero  of,  xxi. 

Craik,  Dr.,  Ixvii,  Ixxvi,  Ixxxviii, 
128,  187,  239,  269,  343  ; William, 
Ixvii. 

Cresap,  Col.,  Ixiii. 

Crest,  Washington,  xvii  seq. 

Crow,  overseer,  6,  9,  15,  19,  31,  41, 
58,  92,  96,  102,  294. 

Culpeper  County,  Ixvii. 

Cupid,  negro,  264. 

Custis,  children,  Ixxii,  255. 

Custis,  Daniel  Parke,  Ixviii. 

Custis,  Eleanor  (Nelly),  xlvii,  lix, 
Ixxiv,  Ixxxix,  182,  255. 

Custis,  Elizabeth,  201,  260. 

Custis,  G.  W.  P.,  li,  182,  257. 
Custis,  Jacky,  xxix. 

Custis,  John  P.,  107,  257,  322,  324. 
Custis,  Martha  Dandridge  (see 
Washington). 

Custis,  Martha  (Patsy),  xlvii. 

Cyrus,  negro,  216,  270,  271. 

TYAINGERFIELD,  Catharine,  1. 

Dandridge,  Anna,  5. 
Dandridge,  Bartholomew,  31,  71, 
279,  324. 

Dandridge,  John,  Ixviii ; Mrs.,  300. 
Daniel,  Hannah,  xliii ; Peter,  xliii, 
37. 

Darlington,  Dr.,  306,  343. 

Darnes,  Mr.,  235,  248. 

Davenport,  miller,  218  ; Mrs.,  224. 
Davis,  Thomas,  20,  62,  82,  97,  295. 
Davis,  Rev.  Thomas,  47,  126,  131, 
220,  222. 

Davy,  overseer,  13,  20,  24,  194,  263, 
294. 

Dawson,  Rev.  M.,  1. 

Deer  at  Mount  Vernon,  146. 

Dick,  MaJ.  Charles,  xlii,  xlix, 
Ixxxv. 

Dick,  Mary,  1. 

Dick,  Milly,  li. 

Digges,  Mr.,  Ixxiv. 

Dinwiddie,  Governor,  xlvii,  Ixiii. 


INDEX. 


347 


Dix,  Alfred,  xlviii. 

Dixon,  Lucy,  1. 

Dixon,  Roger,  1. 

Donaldson,  James,  carpenter,  113, 
119,  127,  136,  142,  178,  198,  205. 
Douglass,  Mr.,  79. 

Downman,  Frances,  xxiv,  xxx. 
Downman,  Raleigh,  and  Rawleigh, 
xxiv,  xxx. 

Dreer,  Ferdinand  J.,  xlvii,  Ixxi. 
Dulany,  Benjamin,  37,  322 
Dumfries,  Va.,  Ixiii,  Ixxvi,  Ixxxvi. 
Dunmore,  Lord,  liii. 

Durham,  England,  xx. 

‘P'ARLY,  Widow,  Ixviii. 

^ Edwards,  Meridah,  xxvii. 
Ehler,  gardener,  22,  40,  44,  267  ; 

Mrs.,  156,  227. 

Elliot,  Miss,  xxii. 

Embargo,  59,  64,  76. 

Emmet,  Dr.  Thomas  A.,  xix,  xxvii, 

307. 

England,  seeds  from,  234  ; farming 
in,  289. 

Everett,  Hon.  Edward,  vii. 

Ewell,  President,  128. 

Echstein,  artist,  Ixxiv. 

T^AIRFAX,  Ann  (Mrs.  Lawrence 
Washington,  afterwards  m. 
George  Lee),  xxxiv,  xliv. 

Fairfax,  Rev.  Bryan,  126. 

Fairfax,  Col.  George  W.,  xxvi,  xl, 
liv,  Ixxix ; Mrs.  (Sally  Cary), 
xxiii,  xxxvi. 

Fairfax,  Lord,  x,  xxxiv,  Ixi,  Ixiv, 
127. 

Fairfax,  William,  xxxiv. 

Fairfax  County,  xxviii,  xxxviii. 
Fairfax,  John,  overseer,  Ixxv. 
Falmouth,  xxx,  70. 

Fauchet,  French  minister,  68,  195. 
Fauntleroy,  Betsy,  xx*xvi,  xxxix. 
Fauntleroy,  Moore,  xxxix. 
Fauntleroy,  William,  sr.,  xxxix. 
Federal  City,  Ixxxix,  114,  119,  253, 

308. 

Federalist,  ship,  Ixxvi. 

Fellenberg,  Baron,  v. 

Ferry,  Posey’s,  115. 

Ferry,  Spotswood’s,  xxxii. 

Fendall,  Governor  Mar5dand,  xx. 
Fitzgerald,  Col.,  Ixxv,  Ixxxvii,  143, 
225,  229. 

Fitzhugh,  family,  xxxvi. 

Fitzhugh,  Col.  and  Mrs.  William, 
Ixxvii,  Ixxxv,  Ixxxvii,  Ixxxix. 


Fitzhugh,  Mrs.,  at  Mount  Vernon, 
Ixxxii 

Fitzhugh,  Mary  Lee,  257. 

Fitzhugh,  William  of  Ravensworth, 
Iv. 

Flemming,  Jane,  xxi. 

Forbes,  Mrs.,  housekeeper,  336. 
Ford,  Worthington  C.,  xxxii,  Ixii. 
Foote,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Lund  W.), 
314,  325. 

Fox,  David,  xxiv. 

“Frances  Alexa,”  xxxvi. 

Franklin,  Dr.,  Ixxiv,  Ixxvi. 
Frederick  the  Great,  xi. 
Fredericksburg,  xxviii,  xxx ; fair 
at,  xxxviii  ; club,  Ixxiv,  Ixxxiv, 
70. 

Freemason,  Ixxi,  Ixxxiv. 

Freeman,  Mr.,  Ixxv. 

Freke  arms,  xviii. 

French,  Daniel,  37 ; Mrs.,  151, 
230. 

French,  Capt.  Hugh,  xxvii. 

French,  George,  xliii. 

“French  Paul,”  negro,  162,  176. 
Frestal,  M.,  259. 

Frost,  Amariah,  23. 

Fry,  Col.,  128. 

Furnaces,  xxxi. 

^ALLAGHER,  Capt.,  Ixxxvi. 

^ Gallagher,  Rev.  M.,  Ixxxvi. 
Gallop,  Joseph,  240,  242. 

Garnett,  Richard,  British  Museum, 
xvii. 

Gazette,  Alexandria,  226  ; George- 
town, 102. 

Genet,  French  minister,  68. 
Gibourne,  Rev.  Isaac,  Ixxiii. 

Gill,  Mr.,  Alexandria,  106. 

Gilpin,  Col.,  52,  53,  210. 

Gordon,  Dr.  William,  314. 

Gough,  Mr.,  247. 

Graham,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Macauley, 
Ixxi. 

Grant,  Margaret,  xxxi. 

Gray,  Asa,  cit.,  40. 

Gray,  weaver,  268. 

Green,  Rev.  CJharles,  xxviii,  Ixxiii. 
Green  River  lands,  liv. 

Green,  Sally,  122,  131,  236. 

Green,  Thomas,  carpenter,  27,  36, 
43,  65,  97,  no. 

Greenfield,  Thomas,  305. 
Greenwood,  John,  dentist,  325. 
Gregory,  Roger,  xxxiv. 

Grenville,  Lord,  324. 

Griffith,  Rev.  David,  312. 

Grove,  William,  “ convict,”  xxx. 


348 


INDEX. 


UALE,  Rev.  E.  E.,  xlii. 

Hale,  J.  P.,  letter,  Ixiv. 
Halley,  Mr.,  Alexandria,  190. 
Hamilton,  Col.,  Ixxxviii,  205,  259. 
Hamilton,  Dr.,  xv. 

Hancock,  John,  xvi. 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  299. 

Harrison,  Constance,  328. 

Harrison,  Maj.,  lx. 

Harrison,  President,  299. 

Hartley,  Mrs.,  xlvii. 

Hartshorn,  Mr.,  Alexandria,  47,  210. 
Haverhill,  Washington  at,  xlviii. 
Hawkins,  senator,  124. 

Hayden,  Rev.  H.  E.,  xxviii. 
“Hayfield,”  116,  314. 

Haynie,  Mrs.,  Ixxviii,  305. 

Heard,  Sir  L,  xiv. 

Hening,  cit.,  xxxii. 

Henley,  Frances  Dandridge,  63. 
Herbert,  William,  Alexandria,  Ixxv, 
126,  220,  222. 

Hercules,  negro,  270. 

Hildebrand,  Pope,  xi. 

Historical  and  Genealogical  Regis- 
ter, xix. 

Historical  Society,  New  York,  liv. 
Hobby,  Sexton,  xxix  seq. 

Houdon,  Ixxiv. 

Hough,  John,  Ixxv. 

Howell,  George  R. , librarian,  xv. 
Howes,  Thomas,  xxvii. 

Hoxton,  L.,  313. 

Hughes,  Mr.,  242. 

Humphreys,  Col.,  334. 

Husbandry,  books,  234,  245,  259, 
330. 

Huntington,  Countess,  xiv. 

TREDELL,  James,  xlvii. 

Irving,  Washington,  v. 

JACKSON,  President,  xli. 

^ Jackson,  Robert,  1. 

Jay,  his  treaty,  59,  64,  68,  234. 
Jefferson,  30,  63,  244. 

John,  gardener,  91. 

Johnson,  Mary,  general’s  grand- 
mother, xxiv,  xiv. 

Johnston,  S.,  xlvii. 

Jones,  chaplain,  Ixxiv. 

Jones,  Joseph  (Judge)  and  Mrs.,  1. 
Jones,  Paul,  Ixxxv. 

Jones,  Sarah  (Ball),  xxxviii. 

TTANAWHA.  Ixiii,  10,  307,  339. 

Kane,  Greenville,  314. 

“ Kenmore,”  xliv,  10. 

Kiger,  George,  anecdote,  xli. 


King  George  County,  xxviii. 
Kingston  (N.  Y.)  Church,  310. 

Kirk,  James,  266. 

Kitt,  steward,  200. 

Knox,  Gen.,  Ixxi,  Ixxii,  303,  310. 
Kountze,  Luther,  liii,  Ixxxvii. 

“ J ACON,”  story  of  the  general’s 
father,  xxvii. 

Lafayette,  Marquis,  Ixxv  ; bust  of, 
250,  259. 

Lambton,  Knight  of,  xx. 

Lamphire,  Mr.,  318. 

Lawrence,  Sir  James,  xviii. 

Laurie,  Dr.,  Ixxiii. 

Law,  Mr.,  201,  260. 

Lear,  Tobias,  xlviii,  Ixxii,  Ixxv,  5, 
31,  63,  66,  142,  243,  264,  266,  270, 
275  ; letter,  276. 

Lee,  Arthur,  256. 

Lee,  Charles,  Ixxv,  165. 

Lee,  George,  Ixii. 

Lee,  R.  H.,  111. 

Lee,  Gen.  Robert  E.,  257. 

Lee,  Col.  Thomas,  342. 

Lefferts,  Dorothy,  vi. 

L’Enfant,  Major,  xvi. 

Lewis,  Andrew,  Ixiv,  Ixvii. 

Lewis,  Ann,  Mrs.,  1. 

Lewis,  Augustin,  1. 

Lewis,  Betty,  the  general’s  sister, 
xliii,  xliv ; portrait,  li ; letters, 
Iv  seq.,  Ixi,  Ixxii,  Ixxvi,  Ixxxiv, 
10,  53,  58,  114. 

Lewis,  Betty  (see  Carter). 

Lewis,  Catharine  (Washington),  1. 
Lewis,  Charles,  xlix,  1. 

Lewis,  Hon.  Edward  P.  C. , 1. 

Lewis,  Col.  Fielding,  xliv,  xlix,  lii  ; 

letters,  liii,  Ixxiv,  Ixxxv,  10. 
Lewis,  Fielding,  jr.,  1,  Ixxvi. 

Lewis,  Frances,  xlix,  1. 

Lewis,  Major  George,  1,  Ixiv,  Ixxx, 
195,  337. 

Lewis,  G.  W.,  Ixxvi. 

Lewis,  Howell,  li,  Iviii,  Ixxx,  10, 
18,  27,  53,  291 ; letters  to,  293,  305. 
Lewis,  Capt.  H.  Howell,  1,  Ixi. 
Lewis,  James,  307. 

Lewis,  Maj.  John,  xxxiv,  Ixix. 
Lewis,  John,  xlix,  Ixxvi. 

Lewis,  Lawrence,  1,  lix,  Ixi,  Ixxx, 
255,  292,  305. 

Lewis,  Lucy,  1. 

Lewis,  Robert,  of  Wales,  xlix. 
Lewis,  Robert,  1 ; mayor,  li ; agent, 
lx,  Ixxviii,  Ixxx,  41,  44,  53,  231, 
233,  240,  241,  256,  291 ; account- 
book,  305,  306. 


INDEX. 


349 


Lewis,  R.  Byrd,  1,  195,  337. 

Lewis,  Samuel,  1. 

Lewis,  Hou.  Thomas,  xxxvi. 

Lewis,  Warner,  brother  of  Col. 
Fielding,  xlix. 

Lewis,  Warner,  son  of  Col.  Field- 
ing, 1. 

Lincoln,  Gen.,  63. 

Liston,  family,  xxv. 

Liston,  British  minister,  256. 

Little,  Col.  Charles,  Ixxxvii,  308. 
Little,  William  A.,  xxxii. 

‘ ‘ Little  Falls, ” farm,  xxx  seq. , Ixxvii. 
Lodge,  Hon.  Cabot,  xvii ; his 
“Washington,”  195. 

Logan,  chief,  Ixiii. 

Logan,  Daniel  Boone,  xv. 

Lomax,  Judge,  Ixxvii. 

Long,  Miss  (Mrs.  Lear),  63. 

Loring,  his  child,  xlviii. 

Louis  XVI.,  portrait,  xvii. 

Lovell,  Howell  L.,  Iviii. 

“ Lowland  Beauty,”  xxxvi. 

Lucy,  cook,  23. 

Lund,  the  name,  xviii. 

Lyle,  Col.,  56,  102,  105,  108. 

]\f‘CRAE,  Mr.,  Ixxiii. 

M‘Donough,  president,  341. 
M‘Guire,  Rev.  E.  C.,  xxviii,  Ixxx, 
184,  285,  291. 

M'Guire,  Frederick,  li,  lii,  Ixxiv, 
Ixxix. 

Madison,  James,  85  ; Mrs.,  Ixxxiv. 
Magazine  of  American  History,  liv  ; 
Harper’s,  xlvii ; Historical,  xviii, 
XX,  xliii ; Lippincott’s,  Ixxxii. 
M‘Koy,  overseer,  13,  15,  20,  25,  31, 
41,  44,  86,  92,  96,  110. 

Markham,  Louis,  xvii,  xxv. 

“ Marmion,”  1. 

3Iarshall,  Mr.,  321. 

Marshall,  Mrs.,  Ixxxviii. 

Mar}"e,  Rev.  James,  xxxv. 

Marye,  Peter,  1. 

Mask  of  Washington,  Ixxxvii.  See 
portrait. 

Mason,  Hon.  Armstead  T.,  103. 
Mason,  Col.  George,  Ixxiv,  103,  322. 
Mason,  Stevens  Thomson,  103.  . 
Mason,  Thomson,  lx,  103,  113,  115, 
117,  327. 

Massaponax  Creek,  xxxii. 

Massey,  Rev.  Lee,  Ixxvi. 

Massy,  Miss,  xxi. 

Maupin,  Prof.  Chapman,  Ixx,  342. 
Mauzy,  John,  surveyor,  305. 

Meigs,  John,  Ixv. 

Meigs,  Col.  R.  J.,  Ixv. 


Mercer,  Col.  George,  323. 

Mercer,  Gen.  Hugh,  Ixxxv,  315. 
Mercer,  James  (Judge),  li,  Ivii,  Ixxv, 
Ixxvi,  323. 

Mercer,  John,  133,  323. 

Mercer,  John  F.,  Ixxix. 

Mifflin,  Warner,  xlvi. 

Milburne,  Mr.,  277. 

Mills,  Clark,  Ixxxvii. 

Minor,  George,  75,  131,  235. 

Minor,  John  B.,  75. 

Minor,  Virginia  Carter,  299. 

Minor,  Mrs.,  330. 

Minton,  Mrs.,  xxvi. 

]\Iochodock  Creek,  xxvii. 

Monroe,  James,  Ixxxv. 

Morris,  Gouverneur,  68,  328. 

Morris,  Robert,  xvi,  Ixvi,  Ixxxviii, 
Ixxxix. 

Motto,  Washington’s,  xv. 

Mount  Vernon,  xxviii,  Ixii  ; build- 
ing, Ixx ; alterations,  236,  254, 
262,  265  ; school-house,  248  ; com- 
pany, 252  ; managers,  291  ; cot- 
ton, 33  ; and  in  loc. 

Muclus,  negro,  21,  82,  97,  295. 

“ Muddy  Hole  Will,”  overseer,  22. 
Muir,  Rev.  James,  47,  191. 

“ Mulatto  Will,”  74. 

Murray,  George,  338. 

Muse,  Battaile,  305. 

Mussipontarius,  on  urbanity,  xxxv. 


XTEALE,  superintendent,  202,  212, 
262,  271. 

Negroes,  their  names,  119. 

Nicholas,  Lewis,  xxvii. 

Norton,  John,  126. 


(^’HARA,  Gen.,  xli. 

O’Neill,  stonemason,  82,  87, 
94,  139. 

Overdursh,  Dutch  family,  bought, 
Ixxvi. 


pAGE,  John,  126. 

Page,  Mann,  Ixxvii. 

Paine,  Thomas,  “ Common  Sense,” 
liii,  47. 

Parin,  M.,  Ixxiv. 

Parks,  Ixxxiv. 

Paschal,  negro,  119,  248. 

Peake,  manager,  Ixxviii,  291. 

Peale,  C.  W.,  Ixxxvi. 

Pearce,  William,  manager,  in  loc.; 

certificate,  271. 

Pearson,  Simon,  317. 

Peekskill,  Ixv. 

Pendleton,  E.  B.,  letter,  Ixiv. 


350 


INDEX. 


Pepperell,  Sir  W.,  311. 

Perin,  Leonard,  xxxv. 

Perrin,  Mrs.,  xliv. 

Peter,  keeper  of  stud,  48,  87,  142, 
217,  224,  238,  265. 

Pettit,  Charles,  323. 

Peyton,  Mrs,  Frances,  xxi. 

Peyton,  Col.  Valentine,  xxi. 
Pinckney,  American  minister  in 
England,  234. 

Philips,  Mr.,  276. 

Phillips,  A.  K,,  letter,  xxxii. 
Pollard,  Miss,  10. 

Pope,  Ann,  xx. 

Port  Royal,  Ixxiii. 

Port  Tobacco,  Ixxvi. 

Posey,  Capt.  John,  115. 

“ Postilion  Joe,”  190,  203. 

Potts,  James,  277. 

Powell,  Elizabeth,  letter  to,  Ixxxviii. 
Prescott,  Capt,,  xx. 

Prince  AVilliam  County,  xxviii,lxvii. 
Pursh,  cit.,  30. 

Pyne,  Mr.,  107,  110,  114,  123,  131. 

T>  AXDOLPH,  Edmund,  xiii,  Ixxv, 
Ixxxvii,  59,  89,  112,  134,  195, 
201,  205,  323  ; declines  Washing- 
ton’s fee,  325. 

Readman,  Robert,  xxvii. 

“ Redemptiouers,”  Ixxv,  Ixxvi. 
Renwick,  James,  v. 

Richmond,  negro,  119,  261. 
Ridgway,  Gen.,  Ixx. 

Rietstap,  cit.,  xviii. 

Rogers,  Miss  (Mrs.  Joseph  Ball), 
xxiv. 

Rosier,  John,  xxvii. 

Rotation,  of  crops,  282,  287. 

“ Rules  of  Civility,”  xxxv. 

Russell,  Mr.,  306. 


Stabler,  Edward,  xlv  ; Henry,  xlvi ; 
Jessie,  xlv. 

Stafford,  County,  xxviii ; C. -H., 
Ixxvii. 

Steptoe,  Anne,  xliv. 

Stevens,  Rev.  B.,  312. 

Stewart,  Robert,  Ixii. 

St.  George’s  Church,  Fredericks- 
burg, XXX,  Ixxvii. 

Strickland,  Mulliam,  178. 

Stuart,  Dr.  David,  Ixxiv,  107,  152, 
188,  224  ; Mrs.,  334. 

Stuart,  overseer,  6,  13,  24,  34,  41, 
81,  258,  276,  287. 

Storke,  xxvii. 

Strother,  Alice,  xxx  ; Jane,  xxxv  ; 
John,  xxxiii  ; William,  xxxi, 
xxxv. 

Sullivan,  Capt.,  Ixxv. 

Swan,  Mr.,  337. 

TALIAFERRO,  Maj.,  xxxii  ; 

A Mary,  1. 

Tayloe,  Delia,  xxxv. 

Thompson,  Rev.,  Ixxiv. 

Thompson,  Capt.  William,  342. 

Thornton  family,  xxxiv ; Frances, 
1 ; George,  1 ; John,  1 ; Mildred, 
xliv  ; William,  Ixxxix. 

Thorn,  the  Washington,  36,  67. 

Tilghman,  Col.  Oswald,  3 ; Col. 
Tench,  Ixvi,  Ixxi  ; William 
(Judge),  3. 

Tobacco,  385. 

Toner,  Dr.  J.  M.,  xxxv,  xliv, 
Ixxxvii. 

Townshend,  Mary,  xxi. 

Travers,  Hannah,  xliii. 

Travers,  Rawleigh,  xxiv. 

Triplett,  Mr.,  317. 

Truro  Parish,  xxviii,  xxix,  75, 

Turner,  Mr.,  of  Alexandria,  45. 


CAM  EELS,  Judge,  Ixxix. 

^ Scott,  Robert,  305. 

Seals,  xiv. 

Seatons,  1. 

Shearman,  Mrs.,  xxv. 

Simms,  Col.,  Ixxxvii,  106,  160. 
Sims,  Mrs.,  xlviii. 


Sinclair,  Sir  J.,  xvi,  178,  331. 
Slaughter,  Rev.  Dr.,  xii,  xxvii. 


xxx,  75,  128. 

Smith,  Alexander,  53,  167,  219,  238, 
261,  266,  269. 


Smyth,  Dr.,  Ixxxiv. 

Spencer,  Nicholas,  xxvi. 
Spotswood,  Col.,  xxxii,  Ixxvii, 
Ixxxv. 


TTNIVERSITY,  Washington  and 
^ Lee,  304. 


yAN  SLYKE,  Rev.  Dr.,  310. 

T\7AKEFIELD,  xvii,  xxvi ; burnt, 
xxviii,  xxxix. 

Ward,  Gen.  Artemas,  xlviii. 
Warner,  Augustine,  xxxiv,  xlix  ; 
Elizabeth,  xlix ; Mildred,  xx  ; 
“Warner  Hall,”  xlix. 
Washington,  arms,  family,  etc.,  xiv 
seg. 

Washington,  Captain  Augustine, 
father  of  the  general,  ix,  xix. 


INDEX. 


351 


xxiv,  xxvi,  xxvii  seq.;  will,  xxxi, 
Ixii. 

Washington,  Augustine,  half-broth- 
er of  the  general,  xxiii,  xliv,  xci, 

no. 

Washington,  Anne  (Aylett),  xliv, 

no. 

Washington,  Col.  Bailey,  xxi. 

Washington,  Baron,  xviii. 

Washington,  Betty  (see  Lewis). 

Washington,  Bushrod,  Judge,  Ivi, 
Ixvii,  Ixx,  Ixxxvii,  xcii,  308,  328, 
336. 

Washington,  Catharine,  xlix. 

Washington,  Charles,  xxix,  xliv,  1, 
lix,  62  ; death,  344. 

Washington,  Corbin,  Ixvi. 

Washington,  Dyonis,  xviii. 

Washington,  Frances,  xlviii,  5,  12, 
18,  22,  32,  40,  69,  82,  87,  112, 128, 
171,  173. 

Washington,  George,  Gen.,  on  war, 
ix,  xlvi ; character  and  works, 
xii ; seals,  xv  ; education,  xxix, 
XXXV ; inheritance,  xxxi ; rules 
of  civility,  xxxv  ; poems,  xxxvi, 
xl ; early  love,  xxxvi ; anecdotes 

of,  xli,  57  ; self-command,  xlii ; 
with  his  mother,  xlii ; wife,  xliv  ; 
and  Quakers,  xlv,  Ixx,  Ixxxi ; love 
of  children,  xlviii ; inherits  Mt. 
Vernon,  Ixii  ; lands,  xxxii,  Ixii ; 
elm,  Ixiv  ; taste,  Ixx  ; chancellor- 
ship, Ixxii ; diaries,  Ixxiii  seq.; 
plow,  Ixxiii ; charities,  Ixxviii, 
255  ; gaiety,  Ixxxii  ; a Mason, 
Ixxxiv ; portraits,  xiii,  Ixxiv, 
Ixxxvi ; will,  xci,  63,  111,  223, 
304,  307  ; his  flag,  153  ; cherry- 
tree  story,  153  ; humanity,  184  ; 
desire  for  retirement,  227,  256, 
339  ; religion,  76,  192,  310  seq. ; 
death,  xcii,  344. 

Washington,  George,  of  Bermuda, 
xix. 

Washington,  George  Augustine,  lx, 
Ixxiv,  Ixxvi,  5,  62,  74,  291,  305, 
309. 

Washington,  George  Steptoe,  128. 

Washington,  Harriot,  Ixxviii,  195. 

Washington,  Herbert,  Ixxix. 

Washington,  James,  xviii. 

Washington,  Jane,  xliv. 

Washington,  Col.  John  (immigrant), 
xviii,  XX. 

Washington,  John,  of  Stafford,  Va., 
xxvii. 

Washington,  John,  son  of  Towns- 
hend,  xxxvii. 


Washington,  John  Augustine,  broth- 
er of  general,  xxix,  xxx,  xliii, 
Ixvi  ; death,  Ixxvi,  xcii,  110. 

Washington,  John  Augustine,  son 
of  Corbin,  Ixxxvii. 

Washington,  Lawrence  (Bermuda), 
xix. 

Washington,  Lawrence  (Chotanck, 
Va.),  xxi. 

Washington,  Lawrence  (Virginia 
immigrant),  xv,  xx,  xxv,  xc,  342. 

Washington,  Lawrence,  son  of  Col. 
John,  xxvi  ; will,  xxvii. 

Washington,  Lawrence,  half-broth- 
er of  general,  xxxi,  xxxiv,  xxxix, 
Ixii,  Ixxxii  ; his  will,  xci. 

Washington,  Lawrence,  son  of  Sam- 
uel, Ixxx,  128. 

Washington,  Lewis  W.,  xv,  li ; Mrs. 
(Ella  Bassett),  lii,  Ixxviii,  Ixxxi, 
53,  305. 

Washington,  Lund,  xxi,  xlix,  89, 
116,  124,  126,  131,  133,  156,  160, 
168,  173,  291  ; letters  to,  314  ; 
death,  335. 

Washington,  Martha,  general’s 

wife,  xliv  ; portrait,  li  ; marriage, 
Ixviii ; anecdote,  Ixxxiii ; 45,  58, 
90,  112,  126,  128,  146,  148,  179, 
246,  255,  256,  275,  298,  307,  336, 
343. 

Washington,  Mary,  general’s  moth- 
er, xli,  xliii ; monument,  xlv ; 
will,  Ivii,  Ixxiii ; at  Fredericks- 
burg, Ixxiv,  Ixxvii. 

Washington,  Mildred  (Warner), 

general’s  grandmother,  xxvi. 

Washington,  Mildred,  general’s 

sister,  xxix,  xliv. 

Washington,  Richard,  Ixviii. 

Washington,  Robert,  xxi. 

Washington,  Robert,  of  Chotanck, 
xxxvi,  xxxvii. 

Washington,  Robert  J.,  xiv. 

Washington,  Samuel,  general’s 

brother,  xxix,  xliv,  1,  Ixxiii,  128. 

Washington,  Samuel,  son  of  Charles, 
Ixxx. 

Washington,  Townshend,  xxi, 

xxxvii. 

Washington,  Warner,  Ixxix. 

Washington,  Col.  William,  xxi  seq. 

Washington,  William  Augustine, 
general’s  half -nephew,  Ixxxvii 
seq.;  correspondence,  xc,  110,  114, 
119,  127,  166,  199. 

Washington  farm,  xxxi  seq. 

Washingtons,  the  German,  xvii. 

Waters,  H.  F.,  cit.,  xix. 


352 


INDEX. 


AVeedon,  George,  xxvii.  ' Wilson,  Gov.  West  Virginia,  293. 

AVeedon,  Gen.  George,  Ixxiv,  Ixxvi,  Wine,  at  Alount  Vernon,  128,  178. 

Ixxxiv,  315.  Wodron,  Mr.,  Ixiii. 

Weems,  Rev.  Mason,  x,  Ixxvi.  Wolcott,  Secretary  of  Treasury,  195. 
Wellford,  Judge  Beverley,  xxxii,  > Woodford,  Gen.,  Ixxxv. 

Ixxx  ; Surgeon-,Gen.  Robert,  Ixxx  ; Woodward,  Mr.,  339. 
bis  career,  Ixxxv.  i Wormeley,  Katharine,  anecdote, 

Westmoreland  County,  Va.,  xxviii.  Ixxxii. 

Whiskey  Rebellion,  Ixxxv,  111,  165.  j Wright,  Ann,  xxvii  ; Francis, 
AVhite,  David,  xxvii.  . xxvii. 

AVhiting,  Anthony,  manager,  14,  Wright,  artist,  Ixxiv;  Mrs.,  xvii ; 

24,  29,  37,  41  ; estate,  62,  154.  I letter  to,  Ixxiv. 

Whiting,  Francis,  Iv.  Wythe,  Chancellor,  xlix. 

Williams,  Mrs.,  xxvi.  j 

Williams,  Mr.,  teacher,  xxxiv.  j 

Willis,  Maj.  Byrd,  xxxv ; Col.  yATES,  Charles,  1. 

Harry,  xxxiv,  xlix  ; Lewis,  xxxv,  Yates,  Hon.  Jasper,  xlvii. 

Ixxvii,  Ixxxv  ; Mildred,  1,  299.  Young,  Arthur,  Ixxii. 

Wilson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  E.,  xvii.  ‘ Young,  Kotley,  52. 


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